The Western Sussex Eye Care | Southlands will launch its services at Southlands Hospital on Tuesday (June, 27), following a multimillion pound investment by Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Marianne Griffiths, chief executive, said: “Last year, our trust was rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission and we remain one of only five acute hospital trusts in the country to be awarded the health watchdog’s highest rating. “The opening of Western Sussex Eye Care | Southlands is another service where we will excel for our patients and provide them with some of the very best quality care in the country.” Up to 3,000 patients a month will visit the new unit for assessment or treatment. More than 50 eye care specialists, including ophthalmic surgeons and nurses, optometrists, orthoptists and support staff, will work there. The building has been designed to be accessible and is all at ground level. The eye unit has its own main entrance on the west side of Southlands Hospital, with access off the Upper Brighton Road (A270). The first phase of works to increase the number of car parking spaces available at the hospital has been completed. Works are continuing in a phased way to deliver a 60 per cent increase in the total number of spaces by December. From June 23, eye care clinics and operations will no longer take place at Worthing Hospital as the department relocates to Shoreham. Masoud Teimory, consultant ophthalmologist, said: “Moving our ophthalmology service from Worthing Hospital to more spacious and modern surroundings at Southlands Hospital provides our patients with a more comfortable experience, as well as enhanced clinical care. “For example, the special design of the building enables us to provide ‘one stop’ clinics for thousands of patients with cataracts, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration – thus avoiding multiple visits to hospital for our patients.” Patients can be treated at St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester if they prefer. The Western Sussex Eye Care | Southlands is by appointment only, however, patients requiring hospital treatment can ask their optician or GP to refer them to Southlands Hospital. Patients needing emergency eye care for a serious injury or eye condition should attend their nearest Accident & Emergency department.