Care Opinion

Text size

Theme

Language

Videos in BSL or ISL
Help with language translation
Help with reading or listening

Location, parking and catering

Posted By zebrasy93

"Location, parking and catering"

About: Mater Hospital / Macular Unit

(as a relative),

I take my aunt - who is in her 90s -  regularly to the macular clinic. We travel 30 miles each way. The parking is abysmal, 5/6 spaces, never any available. My Aunt has very poor sight and can’t hear, I have to walk her in, register her, seat her and then go and try to find somewhere to park, (all the while hoping she will be alright until I get back), not easy if Mater car park full.

We are at clinic for 3-4 hrs, most of it waiting, with not enough seats. No tea/coffee facilities and as the average age is 80yrs, don’t think they want coke or crisps from vending machine.

During Covid this clinic relocated to Musgrave site, far better, seen more quickly and good parking. If you live in Belfast you could get taxi to this clinic, everyone else dreads attendance. The staff are very nice but the location, parking and catering is dreadful

More about:
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Laura Reut, Ophthalmology Assistant Service Manager for Macular and Glaucoma Services, Ophthalmology Mater Hospital, Belfast Health & Social Care Trust 3 days ago
Laura Reut
Ophthalmology Assistant Service Manager for Macular and Glaucoma Services, Ophthalmology Mater Hospital,
Belfast Health & Social Care Trust

Submitted on 25/09/2025 at 13:09
Published on Care Opinion at 13:09

picture of Laura Reut

Dear zebrasy93,

Thank you very much for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We completely understand how frustrating these issues must feel, especially when you are caring for a loved one, and we truly value you highlighting them.

We are happy to let you know that we are in the process of expanding our macular services, and this project will include the development of a dedicated car park. We hope this will greatly ease the challenges you described around parking and accessibility.

In terms of waiting times, we recognise how difficult these delays can be. Unfortunately, clinics can sometimes take longer than expected due to circumstances outside of our control, such as staff sickness or urgent patient reviews. That said, we are actively working to improve the experience for our patients and relatives while they wait. We are pleased to announce that, in partnership with our volunteers and the Patient Experience Team, we will soon be introducing a new quality initiative. This will involve a volunteer being present in the clinic during the busiest times, offering warm refreshments from a trolley as well as some company for those who may have to wait.

Finally, thank you for your kind words about our staff. The team works extremely hard to provide the best possible care, and it means a lot to them to know their efforts are appreciated.

Your feedback is invaluable in helping us continue to improve, and we are grateful that you took the time to share your experience.

Please also pass on our very best wishes to your aunt- we hope her visits to the clinic become much easier and more comfortable in the near future.

Warm regards,

Laura.

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k