WHAT’S NEW?


CHEC LAUNCHES NEW LEICESTER OPHTHALMOLOGY


TREATMENT CENTRE CHEC, one of the largest providers of community-based ophthalmology services in the UK, has announced the launch of a new centre offering eyecare treatment, such as cataracts surgery, in Leicester.


The new treatment centre, covering 7,000 square feet in the centre of Leicester, will provide the NHS with crucial support in tackling pandemic-related backlogs. The site will offer vital ophthalmology services to the area with patients in Leicester facing wait times of up to two years for cataracts surgery.


Currently, there are nearly six million patients in the UK stuck on waiting lists with only 65% of patients across all services being seen within the NHS’ 18-week target. In addition, the ongoing threat of the Omicron variant has placed an added strain on the NHS with staff absences set to increase waiting lists. CHEC’s services in Leicester are now stepping in to reduce this burden by supporting the NHS in tackling the growing backlog.


In particular, ophthalmology has faced very long waiting lists throughout the pandemic with over half a million people waiting for ophthalmology services and a 40% reduction


ALLICA BANK SUPPORTS NEW ENTRANT TO THE CARE


HOME MARKET Allica Bank has delivered its first commercial mortgage within its recently launched healthcare division, enabling the purchase of a 21-room, Shropshire-based care home.


Hartlands Rest Home, a residential and dementia care home based in Oswestry, has been providing elderly care to the local community for over 35 years. The home has performed extremely well historically, providing high-quality standards of care to its residents, reflected in its consistent ‘Good’ ratings from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for all five categories: safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led.


The loan – totalling nearly £500,000 – enabled the purchase of the company from its previous owner, who was retiring aſter running the home for its 35-year history, with the transaction completing in October. Allica said the new owner is a first-time buyer that has extensive experience in the care home sector, and they will be supported by the existing management and operational staff, who will continue to manage its day-to-day activities.


Anthony Newman, Specialist Relationship Manager at Allica, said: “We are delighted to be able to help our customer acquire his first


- 8 - www.tomorrowscare.co.uk


in cataracts surgery being performed. By offering vital ophthalmology services in Leicester, CHEC will be playing a crucial role in reducing this burden on the NHS whilst also ensuring patients receive treatment as efficiently as possible.


By providing such services in the centre of Leicester, CHEC will also be supporting the NHS in tackling regional backlogs. The East Midlands has been one of the areas hit the hardest by pandemic related backlogs. The region has experienced a 39% drop in elective admissions as routine services have faced a substantial reduction during the pandemic. The new treatment centre will offer the region support in easing these backlogs and ensuring all local patients are seen quickly.


Imran Rahman, Consultant Ophthalmologist and CEO at CHEC, said: “We are delighted to announce the launch of our new treatment centre in Leicester. At CHEC, giving back to the local community is always our priority and this new centre will allow us to support both the local NHS services and the patients currently needing efficient care.”


www.chec.co.uk


care home. Their experience in the care sector, combined with the care home’s long-standing and excellent regulatory performance and reputation in the community, made it a transaction we were keen to support. It’s fantastic, too, to see Allica’s new healthcare division able to make a mark so quickly.”


David Ward of Christie Finance, the firm that helped arrange the loan, added: “In a sector which is seeing many challenges, this transaction shows the appetite that exists to support both new entrants and existing operators in acquiring quality, well run and profitable care homes. We’re proud to assist such a strong borrower as they enter the market for the first time.


www.allica.bank


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