CATS are cream of eye care says health watchdog
ACUTTING-EDGE sight-saving service has become the first of its kind in the UK to be rated outstanding by a health watchdog.
Rochdale’s Ophthalmology Clinical Assessment and Treatment Service (CATS) is the first specialist ophthalmology service in the country to receive the top rating from the Care Quality Commission.
It provides rapid assessment, sight-saving surgery and follow-up care to people in Rochdale. Following an inspection and interviews with patients, the CQC inspectors praised the centre’s fast-track 48-hour service for the vast majority of patients with Wet AMD, an age-related condition which often causes blindness.
The CQC singled out the ‘one-stop-shop’ aspect of the service for particular praise. It sees some patients undergo their injections at their first appointment, reducing the likelihood of any further deterioration of vision.
Inspectors wrote: “The service proactively forwardplanned up to 12 months in advance to ensure sufficient surgical sessions and clinics were scheduled to meet demand.”
This has led to the service offering cataract surgery within three weeks of initial consultation, compared to the NHS indicator of 18 weeks from referrals to treatment, which is proving popular with NHS patients.
The report also praises the team’s caring attitude. Inspectors said: “Without exception, we observed compassionate and caring interactions between staff and patients, including supporting anxious and often elderly patients.”
CATS medical director Karen Goodall said: “We are delighted we have achieved the CQC’s highest rating. The service really is pioneering. It is no exaggeration to say our fast-track service, which the report describes as an area of outstanding practice, has helped to save people’s sight. Our cataract and glaucoma services have helped people recover or stabilise their levels of sight as well as helping them to understand and manage their condition. This is vital for a patient’s dignity and peace of mind and I’m pleased that the CQC inspectors have recognised the benefits of our approach for patients.”
The Rochdale service provides clinics in Croft Shifa Health Centre, Belfield Road, Rochdale and at the Phoenix Centre in Heywood.
For more information call 764722 or visit rochdaleophthalmologycats. nhs.uk.