A Coronavirus update from The Wimpole Eye Clinic – we have opened again

After just over 2 months of lockdown, during which the Wimpole Eye Clinic has only been open occasionally for important post-operative appointments, we are pleased to say that as of Monday the 1st of June, staff have returned and we are re-commencing ‘normal’ clinics.

In preparation for our return, we have recently undergone an official and extremely detailed 2-hour risk-management inspection in order to make absolutely sure that we are well within (and indeed exceed) CQC and Government guidelines on minimising the risk of coronavirus transmission. This has given us the absolute confidence to open up again and everything we have put in place should keep a focus on protecting everyone’s safety.

What can you expect as a patient? 

• Initially, we will see only small numbers of patients with well-spaced appointment times that will start after 10am to avoid the rush hour.
• There will be limited reception and clinical staff (one receptionist, one PA, a senior optometrist, and myself).
• Every patient will be asked to bring a mask to wear when in the building.
• We will screen you before being seen in the clinic – this will involve recording your temperature with a digital non-contact thermometer.
• Clinical staff will be wearing, hats, masks, eye protection, surgical scrub uniforms, single-use gloves, and single-use plastic aprons.
• We will maintain social distancing by using both of our spacious floors and all three of our secondary waiting rooms.
• With limited numbers of carefully spaced chairs, social distancing measures are easy to achieve and no patient will be waiting with others at any time.
• As some of you will know, the clinic is very airy with a patio garden on the lower floor. Air conditioning units in each room bring fresh filtered air from outside (there are no free-standing fans recirculating air) and, weather permitting, doors and windows will be kept open to allow circulation of fresh air (as fresh as central London permits!).
• All slit-lamp microscopes (used to carefully examine the eye) now have large transparent plastic barriers between doctor/optometrist and patient.
• We have installed clinically approved soaps and sanitising gels throughout the clinic in every single room.
• All surfaces will be wiped down with 70% alcohol wipes between patient visits, and extra cleaning rotas have been arranged.

Combining all of the above we are protecting our patients (and ourselves) as much as is physically possible. Although it might seem rather dramatic, the same PPE measures will be adopted for our staff at The Wimpole Eye Clinic as at Moorfields Eye Hospital itself (where I have been taking part in emergency-only clinics and operating theatre sessions throughout the lockdown period).

If you would like to book an appointment, you can give us a call on 0207 490 7222 and we can chat through any questions you may have. Or if you prefer, you can get in touch via our booking form.

We very much look forward to seeing you.

Thank you from all of us at The Wimpole Eye Clinic,

David Gartry