BUPA sets new standards for cataract surgery

For the first time, private patients can have cataract surgery in quality assured hospitals as the BUPA launches more than 100 private and NHS BUPA Approved Ophthalmic Units across the country

All BUPA Approved Ophthalmic Units have met BUPA's quality criteria and been selected on the basis that they can guarantee consistent high standards of care and best value for cataract patients.

These include ensuring stringent methods are in place to avoid infection and access to an out-patient consultation within two weeks of calling BUPA.

Dr Paula Franklin, deputy medical director for BUPA Insurance, said: "Cataract surgery is the most commonly performed eye treatment for our insured customers - 9,000 cataract operations were undertaken last year alone".

"Our review showed a significantly higher rate of overnight hospital stays for cataract operations when compared to the national average".

"Nationally, more than 90 percent of cataract treatments are performed as day-cases yet only three quarters of BUPA members' cataracts are treated as day cases".

"Almost 20 percent of BUPA members stay overnight, with around five percent staying for two nights after cataract surgery".

"This means that patients may be spending more time in hospital than is necessary for them".

""Getting the right care reduces the chance of complications and helps patients make a quicker recovery.

The hospitals and consultants that we have selected have demonstrated that they meet BUPA's high standards for the quality of care and service".

""Making sure that the treatment our members receive is cost effective is also important".

"Until now, we have been charged between £1,006 and £3,472 per operation compared to NHS tariff rates of £702 to £1,015".

"Agreeing treatment costs with approved hospitals and doctors means that we can continue to offer our customers affordable private health cover in the future," she said.

Insured customers are treated in these units by a BUPA Ophthalmic Partnership Consultant and also have the reassurance that the cost of their treatment will be met in full.

BUPA has already established national accredited networks for cancer services (breast, bowel and gynaecology) and, last year, for MRI.

All of these are designed to provide patients with confidence that their care will be of the highest clinical standards and, at the same time, represent good value for money.

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