“This theatre complex reflects our healthcare goals of shorter waiting lists, clinical excellence and provides greater access to patients in the South East to care nearer their homes,” according to Mr Patrick Condon, retired Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, speaking as he officially opened a purpose-built cataract operating theatre complex at University Hospital Waterford (UHW) recently. Mr Condon added that he was “proud to support UHW in delivering these important services that enhance patients’ quality of life.”
Having first opened its doors in 2023, the official event was organised to highlight the benefit of the high-volume high flow cataract operating theatre complex to patients from the South East region. Highly efficient in design, the complex has seen approximately 2,400 cataract procedures carried out on patients from the South East region to date and will help patients to receive the highest standards of surgical excellence in eye care.
The complex includes a pre-operative ward area where patients are prepped for local anaesthetic cataract procedures, an adjoining eye operating theatre where cataract surgeries are carried out under local anaesthetic, and ancillary facilities and recovery area.
Mr John Stokes, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, UHW added that “the opening of this theatre has made a real difference to patients needing treatment and care in the southeast. And, it has been a welcome and much needed addition to the great work being done by our eye team at the hospital.”
The initiative underlines the HSE commitment to delivering “co-ordinated care closer to home” as outlined in the HSE Corporate Plan and underscored through its stated priorities including the delivery of care in the right place.