Independent provider Newmedica offers placements in centres nationwide, supporting ophthalmologists in training. Both trainees and consultants have noted the benefits for patients and the NHS, with the North East programme as a prime example.
Dr Oonagh Crothers, a fifth year ophthalmology resident doctor, has gained practical experience at Newmedica in the North East. Her placement, which began in 2023, has allowed her to refine her surgical techniques, broaden her clinical skills, and positively impact patients’ lives.
‘I initially started training at Newmedica Teesside in 2023 but had also spent time there previously. I’ve had placements in all the hospitals across the North East offering cataract surgery,’ says Dr Crothers.
Ophthalmology training is intensive and usually takes about seven years. ‘You need to spend time honing your surgical skills and having experience within each subspecialty within ophthalmology,’ she explains.
What appeals to Dr Crothers about the speciality is the mix of surgery, clinical diversity, and patient contact. ‘I like that you get to do some surgery and have a lot of clinical exposure. You see a range of patients, both young and old.’
Her time at Newmedica has meant exposure to high-volume cataract lists, crucial for skill development. ‘Whereas before I’d been working on lists with five or six patients on them I’m now doing cases with 10 to 12 patients. So it’s great to see at Newmedica how that works and how they manage a high flow operating surgical list.
‘Patient safety is always put first. It’s also interesting to see the range of lenses that they have on offer and to see the choices that patients have.’
Patient stories highlight the impact of her work. 'I’ve had somebody who was an artist who’d struggled to see what they were painting and they were very pleased following their surgery that they could get back to doing what they loved.’
Dr Crothers will return to Teesside’s RVI to complete further subspeciality cornea training before gaining further experience in other subspecialities.
Qasim Mansoor, a consultant ophthalmic surgeon, at Teesside Newmedica says that the placements are all about empowering trainees to become great consultants. 'The programme’s focus is safe and effective patient care,’ explains Mr Mansoor who has also worked as a consultant ophthalmologist at James Cook University Hospital for 13 years, and is a clinical and educational supervisor.
Launched in 2020, the Teesside programme incorporates the latest Royal College of Ophthalmologists curriculum and addresses crucial human factors and non-technical skills.
‘It’s a structured modular programme that follows not only the human factors principles, but also the repetition of the training steps,’ says Mr Mansoor.
‘It involves a 360-degree approach – from understanding pre-operative assessment and interpreting lens biometry readings, to gradually progressing from low to high complexity cataract surgery.’
Participants benefit from opportunities for teaching, research, and learning non-technical skills over six months, preparing them to become not only competent surgeons but also effective communicators and educators.
‘They develop their non-technical skills for surgeons, as set by the Royal College of Surgeons at Edinburgh. These skills are important in reducing the complication rate and addressing patient needs.
‘The patient should get safe and effective care. Our trainees provide that, and the feedback we receive is excellent. Communication with patients, especially in the elderly and those from diverse backgrounds, is vital. We place a lot of emphasis on how we communicate before surgery to put patients at ease during the procedure.’
He notes that 99% of patients said they would be happy to be operated on by a trainee again.
Mr Mansoor says that the placements also support initiatives to increase the number of skilled surgeons, who will become efficient trainers as well - benefiting patients and the health service.
Looking to the future, he adds: ‘I’m a passionate ophthalmologist and I would like to pass on all the skills and experience that I’ve got to the next generation.’
