Deal provides clear vision for Yorkshire Eye Hospital
YORKSHIRE Eye Hospital, the region’s only specialist eye hospital, has been acquired by Optegra Eye Hospitals for £4m.
The purchase of Yorkshire Eye Hospital, located at Apperley Bridge between Leeds and Bradford, represents the company’s second major site investment to date.
Yorkshire Eye Hospital, which is set to retain its name, is to benefit from investment of more than £1m which Optegra Eye Hospitals said would help to improve patient services and provide the most advanced facilities available in the UK.
Clear vision: (l-r) Paul Cowling, managing director of Optegra Eye Hospitals; Ian Johnston, chairman of Yorkshire Eye Hospital; and Justin Annett, sales and marketing director at Optegra Eye Hospitals
Yorkshire Eye Hospital, which was opened in 2003 by Princess Alexandra, was the first purpose-built private eye hospital in the UK to be developed and run by specialists.
Since its launch, the founding Yorkshire-based ophthalmologists, led by consultant Bruce Noble, have established the hospital as a centre of excellence for diagnosis and care for patients throughout the region.
Following the acquisition by Optegra, all current clinicians will remain at the hospital and continue to run their regular clinics.
Surrey-based Optegra, which already operates a leading flagship eye hospital in Guildford, is developing a further purpose built site near Southampton, which is set to open in July.
Paul Cowling, managing director of Optegra Eye Hospitals, said: “Yorkshire Eye Hospital offers patients unrivalled care provided by pioneering consultants all of whom are leaders in their respective fields.
“The hospital offers a highly innovative, premium service supported by the most advanced, state of the art diagnostic equipment and treatment facilities available. These cornerstones have a perfect synergy with the Optegra Eye Hospitals brand.
“The Yorkshire Eye Hospital has grown steadily since its launch and we intend to continue this expansion in the future. This investment is testament to our unrelenting commitment to continuing the hospital’s pioneering work in the Yorkshire region.”
Yorkshire Eye Hospital’s chairman, Ian Johnston, said the deal would serve to further strengthen its market leading position.
Mr Johnston said: “Since its launch in 2003, Yorkshire Eye Hospital has enjoyed tremendous growth and a fast growing reputation for excellence and I am delighted that we have joined forces with such an innovative, experienced team who share our passion for providing the unrivalled levels of service and patient satisfaction.
“Yorkshire Eye Hospital will continue to provide a centre of excellence for the diagnosis and treatment of all types of eye conditions from cataracts, AMD and glaucoma to the latest laser eye surgery and lens implant vision correction. I am very much looking forward to an exciting future together and maintaining our position at the forefront of ophthalmic care in the North.”
Legal advice on the acquisition of Yorkshire Eye Hospital was provided by Turner Parkinson which represented Yorkshire Eye Hospital. Optegra Eye Hospitals was represented by Beaver Brook.
