ACTION is being taken to reduce waiting times for cataract patients at the Royal Bolton Hospital's new £1 million eye unit.

Doctors, nurses and optometrists are working hand in hand with high street opticians and GPs to streamline the service -- which has come under fire in the past for its long waiting lists.

List

Under the new system, patients will no longer have to go through their GP for an appointment at the unit speeding up the service.

As a result, people worried about their eyesight should contact their own optician. Most are taking part in the new referral scheme, but a full list of these is available from most of Bolton's GP receptions.

High street optometrists who spot straightforward cataract cases, will now be able to refer direct to the Minerva Road eye hospital.

They will also be allowed to do a "significant amount" of pre-surgery assessment reducing the number of appointments necessary.

However, patients with more complicated cataract cases will have to tread the traditional route through their GP.

Consultant Opthalmologist, Jeff Kwartz, said: "This is a very exciting development for ophthalmology in Bolton for patients and health professionals.

"It means that we can see more patients, more quickly, without any reduction in the quality of care we give.

"There are many advantages to the new system which we believe will avoid duplicated assessments, reduce missed appointments and altogether enhance the service we deliver to patients with cataracts." ACTION is being taken to reduce waiting times for cataract patients at the Royal Bolton Hospital's new £1 million eye unit.

Doctors, nurses and optometrists are working hand in hand with high street opticians and GPs to streamline the service -- which has come under fire in the past for its long waiting lists.

Under the new system, patients will no longer have to go through their GP to get an appointment at the eye unit speeding up the service.

As a result, people worried about their eyesight should contact their own optician. Most are taking part in the new referral scheme, but a full list of participating high street eye experts is available from most of Bolton's GP receptions.

High street optometrists who spot straightforward cataract cases, will now be able to refer direct to the Minerva Road eye hospital.

They will also be allowed to do a "significant amount" of pre-surgery assessment reducing the number of appointments necessary.

Exciting

However, patients with more complicated cataract cases will have to tread the traditional route through their GP.

Consultant Opthalmologist, Jeff Kwartz, said: "This is a very exciting development for ophthalmology in Bolton for patients and health professionals.

"It means that we can see more patients, more quickly, without any reduction in the quality of care we give.

"In fact, there are many advantages to the new system which we believe will avoid duplicated assessments, reduce missed appointments and altogether enhance the service we deliver to patients with cataracts."