SpaMedica Launches Nationwide Free Transport for Cataract Patients
SpaMedica has become the first healthcare provider in the UK to offer free, unrestricted transport to all NHS cataract patients, regardless of where they live. This move removes one of the biggest barriers to accessing care and supports NHS goals around equity, accessibility, and community-based treatment.
Supporting NHS Priorities
Until recently, patients had to live at least ten miles from a SpaMedica hospital to qualify for free transport. This mileage restriction has now been removed. All patients who need assistance getting to and from appointments are eligible for transport—helping especially those in rural, low-income, or underserved communities.
This step aligns with the NHS’s 10-year plan to tackle health inequalities and bring services closer to people’s homes.
33,000 Patients and 1.8 Million Miles
Between April 2024 and March 2025, over 33,000 NHS cataract patients used SpaMedica’s transport service. Their drivers travelled more than 1.8 million miles in total—equivalent to circling the globe 72 times—helping patients get to vital eye care appointments.
A Nationwide Network
With 64 hospitals across the country and a growing network of Community Diagnostic and Treatment Centres, SpaMedica is helping patients access care closer to home. These centres allow patients to attend pre- and post-operative appointments locally, saving both time and stress.
“Our patient transport service is about more than just getting from A to B – it’s about making healthcare accessible for everyone and bringing local care closer to the heart of the community,” said Tom Fellows, Head of Policy and Value Proposition at SpaMedica.
“We’re proud to support the NHS ambition to deliver more care in or near people’s homes, reduce waiting times, and ensure no one is left behind because of where they live. 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.”
“By removing mileage restrictions and expanding local care through our community diagnostic and treatment centres, we’re making it easier than ever for cataract patients to get the treatment they need without the added stress and expense of travel. Whether a patient lives down the street or many miles away, this new policy ensures they have equal access to vital appointments.”
Positive Patient Feedback
SpaMedica’s patient transport service has received consistent praise. In reviews left on the NHS website, patients have described it as “punctual, friendly and comfortable.”
One patient, Mr Hellawell, who attended SpaMedica’s Wakefield hospital, said:
“The transport which took and delivered me back home was first class!”
How to Access the Free Transport Service
Patients who wish to be referred to SpaMedica for cataract surgery should ask their optician to note that they require transport on the referral form. No mileage limits apply.