Countess of Wessex to unveil new Royal Eye Infirmary

Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust have announced that Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex will formerly celebrate the opening of the Royal Eye Infirmary (REI) at Derriford Hospital next week.

The Countess, the wife of Prince Edward, will visit the REI on Tuesday 23 April to perform an unveiling ceremony for the new unit which has been operational since January.

Ann James, Chief Executive of Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust said: “It is with great pleasure that we welcome The Countess of Wessex to the REI at Derriford Hospital and I would like to thank HRH for joining us to celebrate this occasion.”

In addition to visiting the REI outpatients department on level 3, The Countess will also be taken on a tour of the two REI day-case theatres on level 7.

Sue Bullock, Theatre Manager said: “The visit from The Countess of Wessex is a fitting endorsement to the dedication and hard work from all the staff involved in the department and relocation of the new REI unit.

“The staff are very proud to work in a bright and modern unit where we can provide excellent ophthalmic care and intervention to the people of Plymouth.”

Consultant Ophthalmologist Kwabena Frimpong-Ansah said: “The staff of the REI are delighted that The Countess of Wessex, who has a special interest in ophthalmic matters agreed to continue the Royal tradition of this institution by consenting to open the new REI.

“With the opening of this unit we expect to significantly improve the quality of ophthalmic care provided to the population of Plymouth, West Devon and East Cornwall.”

The REI facilities are designed for a full range of diagnostic and treatment options for conditions of the eye consisting of a 60 room Ophthalmology unit with an outpatient department, urgent care and a dispensing optician across level 3 and two day-case theatres on level 7.

As Global Ambassador for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) and Patron of Vision 2020: The Right to Sight, the visit will be of particular interest to The Countess who has a keen interest in this area.