How Mr Radford is looking after you during the COVID-19 pandemic

Everyone has been affected in some way by the disruption of the COVID pandemic viral infection during 2020. Health service resources have been directed to intensive care and the support of people and carers affected by coronavirus. 

For ophthalmology and eyecare, all but emergency care was been postponed from March 2020 until the end of July 2020. This has meant a rise in waiting times and delayed appointments.   

As of August 2020, limited capacity to see new NHS patients and provide surgery has become available. This limited capacity and longer waits are likely to continue for the rest of the year and into 2021. Private care became possible again from August 2020, meaning it is now possible to have surgery within weeks of initial enquiries if you prefer and are able.

Your own safety and that of the medical teams and hospital staff is taken very seriously.  Regular and repeated testing is in place for surgeons and patients pre-admission, with isolation requirements for three days (for local anaesthetic cataract procedures) in place to keep us all safe.

If you can isolate for 14 days, then this is optimal to reduce risks to everyone coming to hospital. Many patients have been isolating since the outbreak began. In the hospitals additional protection and cleaning is in place to minimise risks of COVID. Staff and patients have masks and hand washing provided at entrances and temperature checks are carried out.   

No COVID cases transmission has occurred in hospitals where Mr Radford works (at the time of writing).

Outpatients are being managed so only the minimum number of patients are in the hospital at one time. Telephone calls and messages are being used to ask patients to enter the hospital from their cars in the adjacent car park. This all helps to minimise contact between people and risks. You will be given further instructions if you are due to visit. If you have a fever or feel unwell then please do not attend for eye-related appointments, but do seek help as required via NHS services.

Many older cataract patients have been waiting and isolating for many months, which will make it easier to be admitted for surgery. Mr Radford has made himself available to carry out surgery whenever capacity is available to help bring down waiting times. All currently waiting patients have been contacted to check individual needs so we can begin to offer dates.

If you think you have been missed please let us know via this website or via the hospital where you were originally seen.

Hopefully, you and your families have remained well and 2021 will be a healthier and happier year for everyone.