As Chief Medical Officer, Bill Oldfield, explained:
“Extending and enhancing the Royal Eye Unit is a pressing priority for both the trust and South West London because of the increasing demand we are facing from both an ageing population and the long-term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Developing a discrete medical retina unit, while undertaking some internal alterations to the existing space, will ensure we can deliver a more efficient service. It will also improve the experience for our patients.
Doing so allows us to address the challenge our paediatric oncology patients face when having to make frequent visits to receive their chemotherapy. Developing a day care unit will ensure we can care for these patients in a calm environment, away from other sick children with potential infectious disease (and all the inherent risks for immunocompromised children). It will also help ensure disruption is minimised for these families.
I know the respective teams are very much looking forward to seeing this extension completed in June 2023. We are all so grateful to those who have recognised the importance of this project and given generously. When completed, this extension will further reinforce the impact philanthropy is having across our hospital, as we seek to ensure we can deliver the very best care possible to all our patients, both young and old.”