Posted: 8 February 2021

New video reassures patients that local cataract unit is safe during pandemic

A new video shows patients how COVID-safe the routine surgery has been made for them at Stoke Mandeville Hospital’s stand-alone cataract theatre unit.

In the short video, Consultant Ophthalmologist Sarah Maling gives a tour of the unit, which was opened in November last year, and explains step-by-step what patients can expect when arriving for their cataract eye surgery.

The unit is completely separate from the main hospital, with its own parking and accessible entrance. Patients, who will have been tested for COVID-19 three days before their surgery, can be dropped off but no visitors are allowed beyond the front door. Everyone entering the unit has their temperature checked and is required to wear a mask, while staff are required to wear the appropriate PPE. Once inside, allocated seating in a large waiting room ensures patients are able to socially distance at all times.  

Consultant Ophthalmologist Sarah Maling said: “We hope that with this video we can allay some of the fears people have about coming in for their cataract surgery during the pandemic. We feel we’ve done as much as we can to keep patients and our colleagues safe all the time. Please, if you are offered an opportunity to come and have cataract surgery make sure you take it.”

Click to watch the video below: