Matthew has warmly welcomed proposals by NHS North Central London Integrated Care Board to create a hub for simple eye surgery at Edgware Community Hospital.

This will mean patients in Barnet, as well as Enfield, Haringey and Islington, could have their procedures carried out at a single site. NHS North Central London believe this will allow an estimated additional 3,000 eye (ophthalmology) surgery procedures to take place a year and reduce waiting times for some people by up to four weeks.

Patients would benefit from shared expertise and experience and clinical teams working together.

There would be no changes to where patients go for eye tests and out-patient appointments and patients would still be able to choose which hospital they go to before and after surgery. Patients requiring complex eye surgery that needs to be carried out at the same site as other specialities would still go to Chase Farm or The Royal Free Hospitals. 

Matthew said: "If people need eye surgery it is important they receive it as soon as possible as eye health can deteriorate very quickly. 

"I have repeatedly pressed the Government to identify and allocate resources to ophthalmology so that we can say to our constituents that, when they need the NHS at a moment that could effectively end their productive life through the loss of their sight, we will be there for them.

"A hub for eye surgery at Edgware Community Hospital would offer an invaluable service to my constituents and I warmly welcome this proposal by the NHS."

The NHS is consulting on its proposals until 16th October. You can have your say here