Newmedica appointed Nigel Kirkpatrick as medical director, who will be taking control of clinical governance, standards of care and regulation of optometrists across all the clinics.
Replacing Tim Manners, who retired in late 2021, the new chair of the medical committee has been part of the development of the business since the outset and has served in the role previously. Kirkpatrick is also a consultant ophthalmologist and partner at the Newmedica eye health clinics and surgical centres in Gloucester.
He said that a lot of time has been spent recruiting new consultants into the business as medical director and this will be a big focus for 2022.
‘As part of our expansion plans, we’re also constantly looking at our surgical pathways for cataracts and how we manage patients with other eye conditions such as glaucoma and macular degeneration, so that we’re offering the most up-to-date care based on the latest evidence. We’re lucky to have a huge amount of expertise in our business, but it’s important to keep evolving what you do,' he added.
Rebecca Lythe, managing director of Newmedica, said: ‘Nigel’s professional experience has played a large role in the innovative development of Newmedica since it first started, and he’s the perfect person to take on the medical director role as we seek to expand our services whilst maintaining the highest clinical standards.
‘His passion for making sure patients have the best possible experience is one we all share, and – at a time of great challenge for the NHS – will help us to continue to support our local clinics to help local trusts to take care of their patients in a timely and effective way.’
