Patients across the wider Wellington region will gain faster access to eye surgery following the launch of new cataract services at Hutt Hospital, Health Minister Simeon Brown announced today.
The hospital will now run between 20 and 25 cataract surgery sessions each month, allowing more Hutt Valley patients to receive treatment locally while easing pressure on theatres at Kenepuru and Wellington hospitals, which will be able to focus on more complex eye procedures.
The expansion is expected to reduce waiting times across the region and improve access to timely elective care. From tomorrow, Kenepuru Hospital will also increase its capacity for vitreoretinal surgery, which treats serious conditions affecting the retina, including retinal detachments and diabetes-related complications that often require urgent intervention to prevent permanent vision loss.
An additional two to three vitreoretinal surgery sessions will be delivered each week following the installation of a second set of specialised equipment under the Regional Retinal Network Plan. The combined changes are expected to allow an additional 300 to 500 patients each year to receive cataract or vitreoretinal surgery.
Mr Brown said cataracts and retinal conditions can significantly affect independence and quality of life, and increasing surgical capacity will help ensure patients receive care sooner and closer to home, reducing the risk of avoidable vision loss.
Image credit: Brands&People
Let’s hope they stay focused.