Which hospitals in the North West treat macular disease?

[taxiservice]

I am currently ferrying my aged Aunt to Oldham on a regular basis. I live in New Mills Derbyshire and she lives in Glossop, isn't there anywhere nearer. Like Stepping Hill Stockport or Manchester?

[andy1955 Macular Society]

Hello Taxiservice,

We have had a chat with a collegue who is based in Stockport.

She recommends sticking with Oldham as it has a 'one day' macular clinic. This means that a patient will have scans and tests to see if they need an injection for their wet MD and be treated the same day if appropriate.

Unfortunately Stockport (Stepping Hill) and Manchester do not have this arangement. Apparently a patient would have to have scans and tests on one day and then return a couple of days later if an injection is required. This would thus mean 2 trips to the hospital!

I hope that this is helpful.

Best wishes

Helpline

[taxiservice in reply to andy1955]

Thank you for your reply. She has now had four injections so the next appointment will be for a check to see if she needs more, if she does from my point of view travelling twenty minutes down the road to Stepping Hill would be much easier. Incidently the one day clinic theory is not true when she went for her first assessment they said she needed an injection but we had to go back the following week!

Cheers

[Bawani in reply to taxiservice]

Hi

I live in New Mills and am treated at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. It is a pain to be honest especially in the winter months when my appt was for 8.30am!

However they are brilliant there, yes some days you have to wait for a few hours owing to the number of patients, but if there is anything wrong you are in the right place to get it sorted straight away.

I have been going for 2 years now for the injection and am pleased with the attention we receive from them.

Maria

[Michelledutton]

Hi

I am the colleague who is based in Stockport.

I am sorry you are having to travel so far with you Aunt

There is no macular clinic at Stepping Hill Hospital.

Stockport patients are currently treated at the private Alexandra Hospital in Cheadle. I think you could check with the Patient Advice and Liasion Service or her GP whether they fund patients to go there and what hospitals she can go to. .

The hospitals you could go to for treatment used to be decided by your PCT but I am not sure how this is working with the new commissioning bodies. The nurse practioner at Oldham,Lynne, may be able to find out for you where your Mum could be treated. have a chat with her next time you go.

I think local options may be Oldham, Birch Hill in Rochgale and Manchester Eye Hospital.

Please keep us updated on how you get on

Michelle