Girl's eye

May 12th 2020

BMEC still keen to see you right

It is an unfortunate necessity of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that with such dramatic changes to how we treat patients in our care, services and how we, as an organisation, operate them have in a number of instances changed. Be that in the way we offer them, the location of treatment, the availability of the service (in terms of opening hours), a reduction in capacity and in a handful of cases they’ve been temporarily closed due to the redistribution of personnel throughout the hospital.

One vital department that is still going strong is the Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre – and they’re very keen to get the message out about their continued availability.  Especially with eye sight at stake.

BMEC’s emergency care department is still open and seeing any patients that have an urgent need for treatment.

Advice given by the ophthalmology team is that any contact lens wearer who is experiencing eye pain, redness and reduced vision that doesn’t settle or gets worse over a 24 hours period must attend Eye Casualty.

“When it comes to eye sight it’s something that often can’t wait – and people shouldn’t.” Insists Hilary Lemboye, Deputy Group Director of Operations for Surgical Services & Directorate General Manager for Ophthalmology.

“It’s vital that patients know that they can still come to BMEC and take advantage of our services. We want to get that message out and let people know that if they have an enquiry they can always contact our central phone line.”

If you are concerned about either eye related pain or loss of vision, don’t delay. Either contact our local Urgent Eyecare Services, or alternately call our emergency and urgent care teams on 0121 507 4440 where you will be given advice by one of BMEC’s skilled ophthalmic nurses or clinicians.