Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) has rated four Optical Express surgery clinics in Scotland as ‘Exceptional’ following recent inspections. The Optical Express clinics in Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness offer a range of clinical eye care services to patients including laser eye surgery, cataract surgery and lens replacement surgery. Of the three domains of rating, each of the clinics were awarded three ‘Exceptional’ ratings, the highest ratings available, by the Scottish regulator.
Optical Express’ Scottish clinics received the spectacular review after visits from HIS earlier this year. In one of the glowing reports, a patient involved in the inspection of the Aberdeen clinic remarked that “The team had a good balance of professionalism and treated me like a valued friend.”
During the inspections, Healthcare Improvement Scotland spoke to clinical staff, support staff and clinic managers and observed the clinics in practice. They also received patient feedback through an online survey. All four clinics received a full suite of ‘Exceptional’ grades. The inspectors were particularly impressed by the comprehensive assessments of patients to determine suitability for treatment, the level of personalised care and the continuous culture of quality improvement. The leadership of the clinics and group clinical governance was also praised, with the inspectors of the Dundee clinic concluding that “a clearly defined leadership structure and a robust governance framework helped deliver safe, evidenced-based and patient-centred care.” The very best outcomes of healthcare regulator inspections in Scotland are also mirrored in Optical Express clinics across the UK. Most recently, the Optical Express clinic in Birmingham received an ‘Outstanding’ rating, the highest level for the Care Quality Commission (CQC), who are the English equivalent to HIS.
Optical Express, the UK’s leading private provider of laser eye surgery, cataract surgery and lens replacement surgery, focuses almost entirely on the delivery of ophthalmology services and treatments. Their highly skilled teams are dedicated to providing the very best clinical outcomes, patient experience and access to care. They are also leading the decarbonisation of the ophthalmic industry, with the goal of becoming the most environmentally friendly provider in the industry. Additionally, Optical Express seeks to work in partnership with the NHS to reduce the backlog of patients waiting for cataract operations across Scotland and the wider UK.
Noelle Hannan, Glasgow Clinic Registered Manager and Clinical Director, said:
“I am very proud that our clinic in Glasgow has been recognised in this way by HIS and rated ‘Exceptional’. This is a massive achievement for us and it wouldn’t be possible without all the hard work from our multi-disciplinary team who demonstrate energy and enthusiasm whilst ensuring the very high standards we adhere to are fulfilled. I’m proud to be part of a team that is modelling best practice, and I know first-hand that our patients are grateful for the first rate service and outcomes they receive.”
David Moulsdale, CEO and Founder of Optical Express, says:
“At Optical Express we are all very proud of our colleagues who deliver a fantastic quality of clinical care for the local community. The ‘Exceptional’ ratings for our Scottish clinics, which is the highest rating available, are truly well-deserved. Our clinic teams in Scotland are some of many Optical Express ophthalmology teams in our clinics across the UK providing the highest standards of patient care across the Group and we are delighted that this is being recognised within the HIS reports.”