Rochdale treatment centre celebrates four year anniversary

Dr Asghar Rana (Staff Grade), Ericka Ashworth (Service Manager)

A Rochdale NHS service has hit a major milestone, as it celebrates four busy and successful years of providing healthcare services and treatments to the local community.

Rochdale Ophthalmology NHS Clinical Assessment and Treatment Service (CATS) has treated nearly 40,000 patients from across the region, since opening in 2008.

The centre, which operates from The Croft Shifa Health Centre on Belfield Road and The Phoenix Centre on Church Street in Heywood, is run by Care UK and treats NHS patients with a wide range of eye health services including three dedicated cataract clinics every week, four consultants with different expertise, a one stop shop for minor operations and a nurse-led glaucoma and post-operative cataract service.

The centre recently won national recognition for its excellent customer service and development of a time-saving, one-stop service for patients. This allows the service to streamline the patient pathway and reduce waiting times as patients requiring minor eye surgery are assessed and fully treated on the same day, following a referral by a GP or optometrist. Previously, patients had to be assessed at a clinic appointment, and then had to wait for an appointment for surgery. As a relative or friend is needed to assist the patient post-operation, this meant a time consuming and often complex system for a minor operation.

Ericka Ashworth, service manager, Rochdale Ophthalmology CATS, said: “In the last four years we have established an excellent service providing effective procedures and treatment for patients in the local area. The service has greatly improved access for local people by enabling them to choose a clinic close to them, at a time that is most convenient for them.

“Our centre revolves around patients’ needs demonstrated by our dedicated booking line. We also aim to get all patients into a clinic within a two week period. This ensures faster diagnosis and treatment for people with eye problems across Rochdale.

“Patients are often impressed with how quickly they can be seen, the high standard of care and any subsequent treatment or diagnostics.”

Audrey Kay a patient at the CATS service said: “The staff at the centre are very friendly and extremely professional. They explained everything very clearly and the atmosphere within the service was very relaxed, professional and an enjoyable experience.”