In August 2001 the Mater Hospital in Belfast opened a new day procedures unit. The unit comprises an admissions area, two theatres, an endoscopy suite and a 23-bed ward, with one theatre almost solely dedicated to ophthalmic surgery. There are three consultant ophthalmologists who currently perform cataract, orbital, corneal, vitreoretinal and plastic surgery on a regular basis. In the four years that the unit has been running we have had a 57% increase in ophthalmic day case surgery.
Audit Commission2001Review of National Findings: no 4, day surgeryLondon, Audit Commission
2.
BoyleG2002Done in a Day: patient satisfaction with day surgery in the Eastern Health and Social Services Board AreaBelfast, Eastern Health and Social Services Council
3.
Commission for Health Improvement2002Acute Trusts Clinical/Care Team: self-assessment toolNorwich, The Stationery Office
