Thousands of patients with eye conditions are set to benefit in Congleton, following the launch of a new ophthalmology service at the town's War Memorial Hospital.

Running as part of the new Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) development, the service, which launched at the start of July, will provide appointments for diagnosing and treating serious eye conditions.

With the capacity to serve over 4,000 patients annually, the new service includes treatments for glaucoma and macular degeneration.

The new Congleton War Memorial Hospital ophthalmology service has the capacity to serve over 4,000 patients annually (East Cheshire NHS Trust).

Principal Optometrist at East Cheshire NHS Trust, Graham Freeman said: "The expansion of ophthalmology services to Congleton is a fantastic development for our patients. 

"The increased capacity to diagnose and monitor the growing number of patients suffering from glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetes, and other chronic eye diseases will allow us to further improve the eye health of local people."

This development follows a grant from NHS England community diagnostics programme fund in 2023.

It aims to future-proof services, allowing the trust to provide localised diagnostics care where appropriate, reduce attendances and potentially reduce admissions to an acute hospital setting.

Celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, Congleton War Memorial Hospital is now home to several diagnostic services including imaging and cardiorespiratory testing. 

The new Community Diagnostic Centre at Congleton is due to be fully open in April 2025.