It’s Good News Friday and we’re celebrating the opening of a brand new healthcare facility here in the North West!

Kingsbridge Healthcare Group have officially opened its new Kingsbridge Eye Clinic at their hospital in Ballykelly. Representing a £2.25m investment, the new surgical facility and complementary eyecare services will create 10 new jobs and provide a one stop service for local patients who require cataract or oculoplastic surgery.

The organisation has invested over £9m in the local area in recent years and this is just the latest step in their journey in the North West. Speaking as the new unit opened, Anthony McKenna, General Manager of the Kingsbridge Private Hospital North West, said, “This new centre of excellence has been established to meet the needs of patients in the North West who previously had to travel greater distances to access treatment for cataracts or plastic surgery.

“With state-of-the-art ophthalmology equipment and a designated theatre incorporating specific air changing features for specialist eye surgery; patients from across the North West, Mid Ulster and into Donegal, can now be assured of excellent surgical care in a convenient and comfortable location.”

The North West has a growing reputation for our health and life sciences sector and we have welcomed world-class additions to our healthcare sector in recent years. This includes the creation of the Graduate Entry Medical School at Ulster University’s Magee campus, the transfer of other health-related courses like occupational and speech and language therapy and paramedicine, as well as projects within the Derry and Strabane City Deal like the Personalised Medicine Centre.