Guernsey patients with cataracts are being offered treatment in the UK, to cut long local waiting lists.

Health and Social Care and the Medical Specialist Group have partnered with Newmedica, to offer the vision-restoring surgery for Guernsey patients.

The scheme will see locals travel to Southampton hospital from December 2024, and be home within 36 hours.

HSC will pay for flights, accommodation and treatment.

The partnership, that will see up to 10 islanders travel for the procedure each week, is meant to tackle long local waiting lists.

Due to demand, 92 islanders have been waiting more than a year for initial assessment.

Medical Director Dr Peter Rabey says Jersey has had a similar arrangement with Newmedic since March this year.

“We are pleased to be working with Newmedica to tackle long waits in Ophthalmology, both for outpatients and those needing operations.

"This is a joint initiative between HSC and MSG, and some patients will start to receive invitations in the near future.

"The experience of Jersey patients, where they recently ran a similar scheme, has been overwhelmingly positive, and we expect Guernsey patients who choose to take up this option will have a similarly positive experience.”

Head of Health Deputy Al Brouard says eye health is important.

“The aim of this initiative is to get those who have waited longest treated as soon as possible; it is about improving the overall Ophthalmology waiting list to a level which better supports patients, by using on and off island providers.

"This is the most cost-effective method to provide patient-centred care in a timely way.

"We are committed to changing more patients’ lives faster.

"Newmedica has excellent post-operative outcomes, and patients choosing this option can be reassured they will receive the same high standard of care had they continued to wait until they could be seen by an on-island consultant.”

Patients can choose to still be treated locally by the MSG.