Our Eye (Ophthalmology) outpatient department is led by ophthalmologists (eye doctors) and nurses.
The following clinics are held here in addition to our full range of consultant-led services:
- Orthoptic clinics (children’s eye clinic)
- Optometry clinics (opticians)
- Visual fields clinics
- Medical photography clinics
- Laser clinics
- Eye Clinic Liaison Officer service
The clinic area is alphabetical – A, B, C – and one of our reception staff will let you know which clinic you are to be seen in.
The clinic also has a dedicated children’s area which provides a friendly and safe environment staffed by specially trained paediatric and nursery nurses.
What to do when you enter the department
The reception desk that you check in at depends on the type of appointment that you have. All outpatient appointments are reached through the main front doors to the Eye Outpatient Department of the Eye Department.
If you have an appointment for Orthoptics, Opticians, Children, Medical Photography department, or if you are attending the Eye Emergency Department you should keep to the right when entering Eye Department and follow the signs overhead.
Each of these areas has their own dedicated reception desk and you should check-in here for appointments in those areas.
For all other appointments (the majority of patients attending the department) you should check-in at the Main Reception desk which is immediately to your left when entering the department.
There are a number of desks here and you can check-in at any of these. The desks to the immediate left are wheelchair-accessible.
Would you like an appointment closer to your home?
We run clinics throughout the region in the venues below. If one of these is more convenient for you please speak to the doctor or nursing staff at your appointment:
- Berwick
- Alnwick
- Wansbeck (Ashington)
- Hexham
- Shotley Bridge
- Chester-le-Street
- Gateshead (Fell Tower)
- Jarrow (Palmer’s Hospital)
- Battle Hill
- Cramlington
Opening times
Outpatient Clinic opening times are:
- Monday to Friday 8.30am – 5.00pm
We also have an Eye Casualty (emergencies only):
- Monday to Friday 8.30am – 4.30pm
- Saturday 9.00am -11.30am (urgent cases only)
Facilities:
- There are vending machines in the main waiting area for hot and cold drinks.
- Public telephones are available in the reception and main waiting area.
- There is a special area in outpatients for children with a supervised play area with toys, and a mother and baby room. Staff here have been specially trained to care for children.
Things you need to know
- On your first visit please bring all spectacles you currently use.
- For follow up appointments, please bring your eyedrops or ointment with you. If you are on medication it would be useful to bring a list of these with you or bring them along in their original containers.
- If you need medication there is a pharmacy department in the New Victoria Wing.
- You may need to have drops put in your eyes during your clinic visit which may blur your vision temporarily and impair your ability to drive. You should therefore consider alternative means of transport for your return journey home.
- Outpatient clinics provide valuable training opportunities for medical students. You may be asked if you would happy for students to be present during your consultation and to carry out an examination.
