Optimising the partnership

^{Optegra York}

There has been a spate of openings by eye care clinics in the last year to meet a rise in the demand for secondary care services. Post-pandemic, these independent providers are in prime position to alleviate pressures on the NHS and offer patients local support. These openings have also created opportunities for primary care optical practices and optometrists to play a larger role in the patient journey beyond the referral.

Newmedica is one of the providers that has expanded its capacity for existing services with eight new dedicated eye clinics and surgery hubs since March 2022. The company says it is caring for more patients, rising from around 19,000 monthly appointments during 2022-23 to an average of more than 24,000, with a 50% rise on the previous 12-month period.