Specialist Bradford eye hospital set for investment (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Specialist Bradford eye hospital set for investment

8:33am Wednesday 3rd February 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(1)

The new owners of a specialist private eye hospital in Bradford has pledged initial investment of more than £1m to continue its expansion.

Yorkshire Eye Hospital at Apperley Bridge, the region’s only specialist eye hospital, has been acquired by Surrey-based Optegra Eye Hospitals for £4m.

The deal is the company’s second major site investment. Optegra operates a leading eye hospital in Guildford and is also building a new hospital near Southampton, which is due to open in July.

Yorkshire Eye Hospital will retain its name, and all its current medical specialists will remain.

Optegra has promised initial investment of more than £1m to ensure the most advanced facilities in the UK.

Yorkshire Eye Hospital, which was opened in 2003 by Princess Alexandra, was the first purpose-built private eye hospital in the UK to be developed and run by specialists.

Since its launch, the founding ophthalmologists, led by consultant Bruce Noble, have established the hospital as a centre of excellence for diagnosis and care for patients throughout the region.

Paul Cowling, managing director of Optegra Eye Hospitals, said Yorkshire Eye Hospital fitted well with the company’s brand of ophthalmic care.

He added: “Yorkshire Eye Hospital offers patients unrivalled care provided by pioneering consultants all of whom are leaders in their respective fields.”

Ian Johnston, Yorkshire Eye Hospital’s chairman, said the deal would strengthen its market-leading position.

He said: “Since its launch in 2003, Yorkshire Eye Hospital has enjoyed tremendous growth and a fast-growing reputation for excellence.

“I am delighted that we have joined forces with such an innovative, experienced team.

“Yorkshire Eye Hospital will continue to provide a centre of excellence for the diagnosis and treatment of all types of eye conditions from cataracts, AMD and glaucoma to the latest laser eye surgery and lens implant vision correction.”

Optegra Eye Hospitals is owned by Moonray Healthcare, a private company specialising in buying and building healthcare investments.

Yorkshire Eye Hospital has seen demand for lens replacement treatment treble in the past year to combat age-related sight deterioration.

The lenses replace the eye’s natural lens and enhance its optical power.