Private cataract surgery in Shepton Mallet – a patient guide

Where is the best place for cataract surgery in Shepton Mallet?

When seeking cataract surgery in your area, it’s crucial to choose a provider known for its high-quality care, experienced surgeons, and comprehensive support. If you’ve cranked up the laptop and are ready to do some research, remember to look at patient reviews, facilities, and the quality of care.

In Shepton Mallet, NHS and private surgeries are performed by highly-qualified ophthalmologists. This ensures exceptional standards of care whichever healthcare route you decide to take. It also means that, ultimately, your choice may depend on factors like waiting times, cost, and personal preferences.

The table below offers a comparison with regards to the available healthcare facilities in the Shepton Mallet area. Currently, Practice Plus Group is the only private healthcare provider operating in the Shepton Mallet area, so we’ve thrown a few Bristol-based options for context.

Success rates for cataract surgery in Shepton Mallet

Between 1st April 2022 and 31st January 2023, Practice Plus Group Hospital, Shepton Mallet registered a 99.71% score when it comes to avoidance of vision loss in cataract patients. This was based on a total of 1,315 cataract operations.

Why choose Practice Plus Group Hospital, Shepton Mallet?

It’s a good and fair question, so let’s try and convince you. First, it’s important to point out that Practice Plus Group Hospital, Shepton Mallet has a ‘Good’ CQC rating and a 100% clean record for hospital acquired infections.

Want more? OK then, how about the following:

• Price – cataract surgery at Practice Plus Group is cheaper than other private providers in the area.
• Waiting times – thanks to our short waiting times, you’ll have your surgery in just 4-6 weeks after your initial consultation.
• Consultant expertise – whether you visit us as a day patient or need a slightly longer period of treatment, you’ll be given the best care and the undivided attention of our experienced and professional team.

Cataract private surgery costs in Shepton Mallet

Most cataract surgeries are covered by the NHS, but private options are available, typically ranging from £3,000 to £4,000 per eye.

As needs differ from patient to patient, there are different types of cataract lenses, each available at a fixed price. For example, monofocal lenses are cheaper than multifocal lenses.

At Practice Plus Group, private cataract surgery costs just £1,995 per eye. See how we stack up against other private healthcare providers below. As with the comparison table above, it’s important to remember that Practice Plus Group are the only private healthcare provider (currently) operating in the Shepton Mallet area.

If you choose private hospital treatment with Practice Plus Group Shepton Mallet, you’ll need to consider the following costs:

Payment options

So, you know how much cataract surgery costs, but how do you pay for it? The answer is: in a number of different ways. First off, you can choose to pay for yourself. This can be done in one lump sum or paid in instalments via our finance partner, Chrysalis Finance.

You can also cover the cost of your treatment as an insured patient. Before choosing this route, you will need to check whether cataract surgery is included in your health insurance policy.

Shepton Mallet hospital waiting lists for cataract treatment

One of the benefits of choosing self pay treatment is that you can avoid long waiting lists for cataract surgery.

NHS waiting times for cataract surgery vary depending on location. For example, the waiting time for ophthalmology surgery at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is currently 19 weeks.1

At Practice Plus Group hospital Shepton Mallet, the waiting time is just 4-6 weeks of your initial consultation.

Shepton Mallet cataract surgery reviews

If you’ve had enough listening to us, take a look at what our patients have been saying about cataract surgery at Practice Plus Group.

Patient testimonial

“Very good treatment, very friendly staff, procedures well explained.”

Cataract surgery patient at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Shepton Mallet

Discover what life is like post cataract surgery by delving into some of these local patient stories:

• Mike’s cataract surgery
• Shane’s cataract surgery
• Lesley’s cataract surgery
• Valerie’s cataract surgery

Shepton Mallet hospital for cataract surgery – what to expect

We appreciate there’s a lot of information to take onboard, but we’ve now arrived at the fun part. This is the bit where we actually get to meet you face-to-face and welcome you into our hospital. But first, let’s take you through the different eye treatments available at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Shepton Mallet.

Eye treatment in Shepton Mallet – procedures offered

At our Shepton Mallet hospital, we currently offer standard monofocal lenses.

Shepton Mallet also offers:

• Wet AMD treatment
• Age related AMD treatment for NHS patients
• Medical retina procedures
• YAG laser capsulotomy

Who is eligible for cataract treatment at Shepton Mallet?

As long as you’re eligible for surgery, you’ll be accepted for treatment. One thing you’ll have to think about is how you want to access your surgery in Shepton Mallet. This is done either through self-pay, insurance, or the NHS. You should bear in mind that patients cannot mix and match their treatment pathways – or, in plain English, you can’t start off as a self-pay patient and then switch to the NHS for your treatment.

Facilities

Along with state-of-the-art medical equipment, our private hospital in Somerset also offers:

• free parking
• free wifi, TV and phone calls
• award winning on-site cafe for fresh meals
• single en-suite room or a same-sex shared en-suite room
• a relaxing, comfortable environment.

Getting a referral

The process generally starts with a referral from your General Practitioner (GP). This will be to an ophthalmologist or eye clinic. After the referral, you will undergo an assessment to determine the severity of your condition and, if necessary, to prioritise surgery.

Preparing for surgery

If you’ve booked in for your initial cataract surgery consultation at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Shepton Mallet, you’re probably wondering what comes next. You’ll likely have been sent a letter confirming the date of your initial appointment. This will usually take place within two or three weeks of your referral.

During your initial appointment, you’ll likely have an assessment to test your visual field. This will take around 30 minutes to complete. Where possible, we will complete any pre-treatment tests there and then to save you making multiple trips. Our anaesthetists and rehabilitation team will assess you at the same time.

After your initial consultation, you’ll receive a phone call detailing the date of your eye surgery.

If you require cataract treatment on both eyes, surgery for the second eye will be scheduled around three or four months after the surgery on your first eye.

The procedure

Cataract surgery is a procedure to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a clear artificial one. The surgery is typically performed under local anaesthesia which may involve eye drops and/or an injection. Cataract surgery is considered one of the most common and successful procedures globally.

The cataract is removed using a technique called ‘phaco-emulsification’. This involves the use of an ultrasonic probe which breaks up the old lens. Your cataract surgeon will then insert a new lens into your eye.

The cataract surgery itself usually takes about 15 minutes and most people go home from hospital around one to two hours later.

The risk from cataract surgery is very low (<1%) and complications are very rare.

Recovery and post-operative care in Shepton Mallet

It’s likely that your vision will still be a bit blurred after the operation. With that in mind, you’ll need to employ the services of a responsible friend or family member to take you home and stay with you for at least 24 hours following the procedure.

You will be given post-operative drops and instructions as to how to administer them. Contact details will also be issued in the event you have any concerns or worries.

We will inform your GP that you’ve been discharged from the hospital. We’ll drop you a call the day after your surgery to check you’re doing well and are happy with how things went.

In the days following the surgery, you should experience an improvement in the clarity and colour of your vision. Your peripheral vision should also improve and issues with glare should be greatly reduced. For some, this takes a matter of hours, while others take one-to-two weeks to see well.

Learn more about recovery from cataract surgery here.

Getting here

There are a number of ways to travel to Practice Plus Group Hospital, Shepton Mallet. These include public transport, by road, and by train.

Public transport
The number 776 bus stops near the hospital on St Peter’s Road.

By car
If you’re coming from the north, you’ll likely travel down the A37. From the east, you’ll need to use the A361 and follow the signs once you arrive in Shepton Mallet.

By train
Castle Cary train station is a 20 minute taxi ride away, or there is plenty of free on-site parking at the hospital.

When you arrive please register at reception so we know you’re here. A member of staff will collect you for your appointment.

Our address is: Practice Plus Group Hospital, Shepton Mallet, Old Wells Road, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 4LP.

About the area

Situated deep in the West Country, the picturesque market town of Shepton Mallet is renowned for its rural beauty. Shepton Mallet offers a variety of walking trails, ranging from easy strolls to more challenging hikes, and is ideal for getting on the road to recovery following your procedure.

Visiting information

Visiting hours are from 10am-8pm and 6pm-8pm, with respect for protected mealtimes – lunch is at 12.30pm and supper is at 6pm.

You can find more visiting information for Shepton Mallet hospital on the dedicated visitor page.

How to book

If you are paying for your own treatment you can self-refer. This means you won’t necessarily need to make a GP appointment beforehand. Simply ring our Private Patient Advisors on 0330 822 6530 to find out what your options are. Once your referral is dealt with, our friendly staff will book you in.

Shepton Mallet treatment centre consultants

Meet our experienced consultants at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Shepton Mallet. Our consistency of care sees your consultant-led treatment team supporting you from start to finish, making your visit as comfortable as possible.

Access affordable eye surgery in Shepton Mallet

Ready to transform your eye health and return to your everyday activities with ease? Get in touch with our friendly Shepton Mallet team to see how we can help.

Sources and references

¹ https://www.myplannedcare.nhs.uk/swest/somerset/specialty/?sname=Ophthalmology

² https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cataract-surgery/

Acknowledgements