One year anniversary for NHS surgical centre
Wednesday, 8 July 2026
The Cheshire and Merseyside Surgical Centre, part of the Victoria Infirmary in Northwich, has celebrated its one-year anniversary.
The centre boasts two advanced operating theatres, one dedicated to cataract surgery, and the other functioning as a multi-specialty theatre accommodating orthopaedics, ENT, dermatology, urology, and pain management.
The facility is also a cataract centre of excellence and a regional hub for outstanding cataract care. This is helping to reduce the number of people waiting for cataract surgery, as the centre provides referral to treatment in three weeks or less.
Jacqueline Wilson, from Kingsmead in Northwich, was among the first to have cataract surgery at the centre. She praised the care and support she received and how the staff made her feel at ease before, during, and after her treatment.
She said: “I was very nervous, but the staff, from the moment you arrive, take care of you, and explain to you very clearly what is going to happen.
“This level of care goes right through to the surgery, and the surgeon talks to you during the procedure. When out of surgery, I was looked after and given lots of information about how to take care of my eye.”
Grant Guthrie, consultant ophthalmologist, is among the new members of staff who were recruited to work at the surgical centre, which officially opened to patients in June 2025.
Mr Guthrie has expertise in cataract surgery, having performed thousands of successful procedures. He trained at world-leading ophthalmic institutions, including Johns Hopkins University, Moorfields Eye Hospital, and Bristol Eye Hospital.
He said: “This past year has flown by, and it has been a privilege to work here, with such an amazing team.
“As a local surgical centre, this facility is bringing first-class care closer to those who matter most, our patients. It is also allowing us to reduce waiting lists and significantly improve the health of the local community.”
Russ Favager is MCHFT’s Board Senior Responsible Officer for Leighton New Hospital Programme and Estates Redevelopment. He said:
“Congratulations to everyone at the surgical centre for what they have achieved over the past year.
“This fantastic, state-of-the-art facility plays a key part in the Trust’s strategy and ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality services closer to where people live, bringing care into the heart of the community.”
"Surgical centres are playing a vital role in ensuring patients have quicker access to the procedures they need by providing thousands of additional appointments, reducing waiting times and improving their overall experience of care."
MCHFT received £23m of funding from NHS England, via NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board, to create the state-of-the-art facility.
Dr Fiona Lemmens, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside’s Executive Clinical Director, said:
"This milestone is a testament to the dedication of staff, whose hard work continues to improve the lives of people across Cheshire and Merseyside.
"Surgical centres are playing a vital role in ensuring patients have quicker access to the procedures they need by providing thousands of additional appointments, reducing waiting times and improving their overall experience of care."