New elective care centres to '˜significantly reduce waiting times' for patients

By The Newsroom
Published 23rd Oct 2018, 17:00 BST
Updated 23rd Oct 2018, 17:45 BST
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The development of new regional elective care centres for the treatment of cataracts and varicose veins could help to significantly reduce waiting times for patients across Northern Ireland, the Department of Health has said.

From December, new prototype centres at five local hospitals will undertake routine day surgery procedures for cataracts and treatment of varicose veins – a move the department believes will increase productivity by up to 30%, meaning more people will get the treatment they need more quickly.

The routine day surgery hubs for varicose veins will be based at Lagan Valley Hospital in Lisburn and Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex, while the centres for cataracts will be at Mid-Ulster Hospital, Downe Hospital and South Tyrone Hospital.

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The move is designed to address Northern Ireland’s ever-lengthening waiting lists, which are currently the worst in the UK.

Lagan Valley Hospital, Lisburn will become a routine day surgery hub for the treatment of varicose veinsLagan Valley Hospital, Lisburn will become a routine day surgery hub for the treatment of varicose veins
Lagan Valley Hospital, Lisburn will become a routine day surgery hub for the treatment of varicose veins

The department hopes the new centres will provide up to 2,000 additional cataract treatments and up to 500 extra procedures for varicose veins every year.