"Mixed bag!"

Referral process super speedy.

Consultation clinic run like clockwork, very good.

Actual procedure was not such a good experience as my first cataract procedure…I found once in the theatre, there were so many people! I counted the person (male) doing the procedure, 2 I think were observing and I recognised the gentleman with the hearing aid who did some of my tests at the pre op consultation plus ano member of staff.

The nurse who took me into theatre.

And another couple of staff members.

The radio/music was playing quite loudly and the atmosphere was ‘busy’ not calming - it did put me off but I did t want to say anything for fear of upsetting anyone.

I found the practitioner who carried out my cataract procedure quite ‘rough’ and did not ‘talk me thru’ what was about to happen to me during the procedure. Although he did speak to me several times…

I had the first cataract procedure elsewhere and it was much quieter in theatre and there were less staff and no music and I was spoken to throughout the procedure. I found that very settling and good practice.

I know the surgeons are doing cataract procedures regularly throughout the day and it’s probably second nature to them but for the patient, especially when having the first cataract done it is a concern. Even having the second procedure, I found the experience worse than the first one, not because I knew what was going to happen, but purely because of the ‘roughness’ of the surgeon (touching my eye/doing the procedure)’, the number of people in the theatre and the noisy music.

I am grateful that I have hand the two cataracts removed and am just stating that my experiences were different for the same procedure.

I am especially grateful with the speed of the referral, consultation date, procedure date and follow up date.

Thank you