A new ‘Surgicube’ unit installed at Princess of Wales Hospital is cutting waiting times for eye surgeries by enabling procedures, such as cataract removal, to take place outside of a full operating theatre.
The Surgicube is a special unit, at the Hospital’s Ophthalmic Centre of Excellence, is designed to create a very clean environment for performing small surgeries, especially eye surgeries. It works by blowing ultra-clean air directly onto the area where the operation is happening, which helps prevent germs and contaminants from getting into the surgical site.
It also allows for patients to receive bilateral cataract surgery, where both eyes are operated on the same day.
For surgeons, the Surgicube offers more flexibility and efficiency —it’s quick to set up, easy to use, and doesn’t require the lengthy preparation needed for a full operating theatre.
It enables CTM’s Ophthalmology teams to operate on more patients, performing more surgeries in less time and in different locations. This in turn reduces waiting lists for cataract surgery by allowing a dedicated team of nurses and eye doctors to work through a streamlined pathway, resulting in greater efficiency.
Over the last six months, 127 cataract patients have been treated in the Surgicube unit, all benefitting from fewer hospital visits, faster rehabilitation of binocular vision and reduced risk of falls and injury for vulnerable patients.
Kadaba Rajkumar, Consultant Surgeon performed the first bilateral cataract surgery in the Surgicube. He said: “We are delighted to have treated so many patients in the new Surgicube over the last six months. Apart from improving patient flow and efficiency, the Surgicube has helped us reduce waiting times, which in turn reduces the risk of patients experiencing falls, depression and loss of independence associated with prolonged visual impairment.
“Expanding our cataract service capacity has strengthened the hospital’s reputation as a centre of excellence in Ophthalmic Care, and ensures our teams are meeting national standards and benchmarks for elective surgery wait times. Thanks to the Surgicube, CTM is now a position where we are able to adapt to future demand growth without overwhelming existing theatre capacity.”
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