- Independent hospital
Optegra Maidstone
Assessment report published 6 October 2026
Ratings - Surgery
Our view of the service
Date of assessment 14 April and 6 May 2026.
We undertook a comprehensive assessment of surgery because the service had not been assessed since being registered in August 2022.
The service provides NHS-funded ophthalmology care in a community setting, including cataract surgery, glaucoma management, Yttrium Aluminium Garnet (YAG) laser treatment and follow‑up care. In the 12 months before the assessment the provider did 795 YAG laser capsulotomies and 3,210 NHS cataract surgeries. In addition to its NHS work, the service provides private treatment options.
We rated this service as good.
We found the service had a strong learning culture and investigated incidents thoroughly. Staff consistently maintained safe pathways, completing essential checks, escalating concerns appropriately and ensured continuity of care through clear records and emergency processes. The service managed safeguarding well, staff had full training, clear escalation routes and specialist support. Staff involved patients and relatives in safety checks, explaining procedures to enhance the experience.
The environment was visibly clean, well equipped and safely maintained in line with national guidance. Leaders ensured staffing levels, skill mix and governance for clinicians working under practising privileges were effective. They supported ongoing development and specialist competencies. The service-controlled infection risks well, through clean environments, audits and safe surgical practice. Staff managed medicines safely with secure storage, clear processes, effective learning from incidents and safe administration supported by access to emergency treatments.
People's experience of this service
We spoke with 5 patients in the service. Patients felt they had been fully informed regarding their planned care and were given opportunities to discuss concerns or raise queries with staff about their health. Staff carried out an assessment at admission to ensure there had been no changes since the preassessment.
Patients confirmed they had received a leaflet prior to their visit explaining the patient journey. We also saw staff giving patients a leaflet with post-surgery aftercare information.
Patients were consistently positive about their care. They described staff as warm, kind and attentive, and felt the care and treatment provided was effective. Patients told us they were given enough time to ask questions about their procedure, and staff checked they fully understood what would happen. People also appreciated being seen and treated promptly.
We looked at patient reviews online, there had been 14 reviews in the last 12 months. Patients consistently praised the staff for their kindness, professionalism, and ability to make them feel at ease throughout the entire process. The service provided was frequently described as, efficient, and well-organised, leading to very positive outcomes for many. Patients were particularly impressed with the clear explanations, the smooth patient experience, and the excellent results of the procedures, often noting significant improvements in vision.