Company history

The SpaMedica story started with one aim – to give patients rapid access to the highest standard of care in first-class facilities – and this has remained one of our key goals throughout our growth. 

It’s quite a simple success story – we deliver excellent care to our patients, we listen to their feedback, and we use it to constantly improve our services. Our patients’ feedback is the force that has driven us forward and we’re delighted that our patients continue to rate us as a five-star service across all our hospitals. 

If you’re wondering where it all began, our SpaMedica story features some of the key milestones in our journey to becoming the UK’s largest provider of NHS cataract surgery. 

Our story

  • 2008
  • 2010
  • 2012
  • 2018
  • 2019
  • 2019
  • 2019
  • 2020
  • 2020
  • 2021
  • 2021
  • 2021
  • 2021
  • 2022
  • 2023
  • 2023
  • We open our doors...

    SpaMedica was established in 2008 by Anil Pitalia, our former CEO, originally as an eye and skin treatment centre in Manchester, and the SpaMedica story is just beginning…

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  • Our NHS cataract services are launched...

    SpaMedica performs first cataract surgery for NHS patients and introduces new services, including YAG Capsulotomy and AMD treatments.

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  • Our first patient bus

    SpaMedica launches our transport service with our first bus and driver joining the team, providing patients with a free door-to-door transport service.

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  • Happy 10th Birthday

    In 2018 SpaMedica celebrated ten great years of supporting patients with the opening of their 10th hospital.

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  • Largest cataract surgery provider in the UK

    By the end of 2019 SpaMedica was performing more NHS cataract surgeries than any other healthcare provider across the UK. We are privileged to be able to support the thousands of patients that come to SpaMedica and we are dedicated to growing our reach even further across the UK.

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  • Manchester celebrates 10,000 patients

    In July 2019 SpaMedica Manchester – our first hospital – reached a milestone of 10,000 patients treated since opening its doors in 2008.

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  • Another 10,000 patients for Wakefield

    Hot on the heels of Manchester hospital’s achievement – it’s August 2019 and SpaMedica Wakefield celebrated its 10,000th patient.

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  • Our first cataract surgery training suite

    In September 2020 SpaMedica shares our experience and knowledge through training with North-West ophthalmology students. Our Dry Lab, located in SpaMedica Widnes, gives the opportunity to NHS student doctors to practise in a simulated surgery environment using the latest technology and synthetic eyes.

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  • SpaMedica opens hospital number 20

    In November 2020 SpaMedica Wokingham opened its doors, offering cataract surgery and YAG capsulotomy services for NHS patients. SpaMedica expands across England with a total of 20 hospitals.

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  • SpaMedica becomes a partner of the Veonet Group

    SpaMedica is proud to become a partner of the Veonet Group, working in collaboration with other leading ophthalmology partners across Europe, sharing expertise and knowledge, to deliver best-practice care and high-quality outcomes to all our patients.  

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  • Exeter opens as our 30th hospital

    SpaMedica Exeter opened in July 2021 as our 30th hospital. This supports our growth of NHS Ophthalmology services for patients in the South West.

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  • SpaMedica celebrates 1,000 employees!

    Our team continues to grow as we welcome our 1,000th employee to the SpaMedica family in August 2021.

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  • SpaMedica team welcomes our new CEO

    As we continue to grow our teams and hospitals across England, it’s time to welcome a new CEO to SpaMedica, Richard Woodward, who will be leading us into our next exciting chapter of the SpaMedica story.

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  • Doncaster, hospital number 40 for SpaMedica

    In July 2022 our new Doncaster hospital opened for NHS patients in South Yorkshire – providing quick access to cataract surgery & YAG capsulotomy – our 40th hospital.

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  • SpaMedica celebrated it's 15th anniversary in July!

    The SpaMedica story started with one aim – to give patients rapid access to high quality treatment and excellent care, delivered in state-of-the-art facilities – and this has remained one of our key goals throughout our growth.

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  • We opened our 50th hospital in North Tyneside

    In September 2023 our 50th hospital in North Tyneside hospital opened for NHS patients – providing quick access to cataract surgery & YAG capsulotomy

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