Ophthalmology provider SpaMedica has removed mileage limits on its free transport service for NHS cataract patients, aiming to improve access to care for individuals who face difficulties travelling to appointments.
With immediate effect, all NHS cataract patients treated by SpaMedica will be eligible for complimentary transport to and from hospital, regardless of how far they live from one of its sites. The company previously required patients to live at least ten miles away to qualify for free transport.
The decision is intended to align with the NHS’s 10-year Plan to reduce health inequalities and deliver more community-based care. SpaMedica said the lack of affordable or accessible transport remains a significant barrier for some patients, particularly those in rural areas or on low incomes.
Between April 2024 and March 2025, more than 33,000 NHS cataract patients used SpaMedica’s transport service, with drivers covering around 1.8 million miles over the year.
Tom Fellows, head of policy and value proposition at SpaMedica, said: ‘Not everyone has a friend or family member who is available to take them to and from their appointments, and taxis are an expense many patients can’t afford. Some of our patients also live in rural areas without regular access to public transport.’
SpaMedica operates 64 eye hospitals across the UK and has recently launched community diagnostic and treatment centres to allow patients to attend pre- and post-operative appointments closer to home.
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