Case for new Edinburgh eye hospital 'compelling' says sight loss charity

Sight Scotland, soon to take over provision of rehabilitaion services for people with sight loss in Lothian, has written to Health Secretary Jeane Freeman saying the business case for a new hospital to replace the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion is “compelling”.

The Scottish Government has rejected the business case and told NHS Lothian it should disperse services instead.

The Sight Scotland letter says with an extra 3,000 visually impaired people forecast for Edinburgh alone by 2030, the new hospital would provide sustainable ophthalmology services capable of meeting future patient demand.

It adds the proposed new hospital scored highly on research space so more patients could be recruited into clinical trials, leading to better treatments.

And it concludes: “We are concerned not proceeding with the new eye hospital will not support the best access to treatment for patients and also risks the potential Edinburgh has to be a world leader in research and development in eye health.”

Sight Scotland chief executive Mark O'Donnell said: “As a charity providing a wide range of support for people living with sight loss in Edinburgh, we have been very excited about the proposals for a new eye hospital in the city. The plans set out to replace the ageing facilities at the Eye Pavilion would not only improve patient care and treatment but support vital clinical research into eye conditions.

“We are very conscious about the pressures on public resources, particularly at this time as a result of Covid-19. However, we are concerned there will be a significant opportunity cost in not proceeding with a new eye hospital. We believe the business case for the new eye hospital showed it was the best proposal for patients, efficient use of clinical capacity and supporting research.

“We understand dialogue between the health board and the Scottish Government on this issue is continuing. We hope ministers will understand the strength of the case for a new eye hospital which will be vital for thousands of visually impaired people not only in Lothian but in other areas of the country who will benefit from these facilities.”

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