The eyes have it

2:58pm Wednesday 19th September 2007

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AN eye surgery clinic based at Westbury Community Hospital has become the first NHS-staffed organisation to be recognised as a Centre of Excellence for cataract operations.

Bath Eye Care, located in the hospital's day surgery unit, is an independent provider of cataract surgery, run by NHS staff including nurses from Wiltshire Primary Care Trust and consultants from the Bath area.

The award of Centre of Excellence status comes from the Healthcare Commission and follows a rigorous inspection of the service.

Mark Campbell, day surgery manager at Westbury Community Hospital, said: "The award of Centre of Excellence status is a boost for staff and for patients. It reflects a lot of hard work by staff at all levels, including particularly good teamwork by frontline staff. This award is a tribute to their efforts."

As a Centre of Excellence Bath Eye Care will operate three days a month, and its new status means patients from all over England will be able to choose it for treatment for cataract surgery, although it is likely to focus on treating patients from Wiltshire and Bath.