We’re tackling our waiting list for patients who need cataract surgery – carrying out more than triple the usual number on day one of a new project, with 20 operations completed, compared to six on an average previously.

We launched the Ophthalmology 20/20 project on Wednesday 20 November with 20 procedures at our Elective Surgical Hub at King George Hospital. A second day with a further 20 operations was held on Saturday 23 November, with more planned in the new year.

Ophthalmology consultant Ayman Khaier, who carried out all operations on the Saturday (his colleague Bobby Paul carried out the Wednesday surgeries), said:

“We’ve not done this number of surgeries on one day before so we’re pushing the boundaries quite a bit.

“It took six weeks of planning to achieve and needed lots of coordination and support from all teams. It was very fast paced on both days.”

Linda O’Gorman, 81, was among those patients who Ayman operated on. Having had her first cataract removed in the spring, she didn’t have too long a wait to have her other eye done.

She said: “After my first operation in April it was superb, I can watch TV and ready without glasses, so I hope to have that again.

“It’s definitely a good thing to do this to reduce waiting lists. The staff looked after me really well and were very friendly.”

Our Trust is a major provider of cataract surgery in north east London and we have around 300 patients awaiting cataract surgery. Currently the wait is just under five months and we want to reduce it to three.