Service Changes to Ophthalmic Unit (Eye Dept) as a result of COVD-19

The Gibraltar Health Authority is working hard to ensure that patients and staff continue to be kept safe and protected from contracting COVID-19, especially the elderly and those with chronic health issues.

The Eye Department will therefore be discontinuing all ophthalmic related activity at St Bernard's Hospital except for emergencies and sight saving treatments. The GHA will provide advice and treatment recommendations for ANY eye problem via phone and if necessary will arrange a face-to-face consultation.

If you have an acute eye problem please DO NOT attend A&E or your GP but call us instead.

Eye Casualty/ Emergency Queries:

This Emergency Service will NOT be operating on a walk-in basis. Instead it will be run exclusively via telephone consultation and can be reached on 200 07227 or 56002895.

This number is available 24/7

For non-emergencies and less acute eye problems please call between 9.00am and 4.00pm Monday – Friday. We will provide advice and treatment recommendations on the phone and will arrange face-to-face consultations if necessary.

We will aim to see all eye emergencies, requiring urgent treatment.

Advice on the location and time of your appointment will be provided by phone.

Eye Clinic/Surgery:

All elective surgery and outpatient clinics will be cancelled until further notice. Urgent cases, as decided by our Ophthalmologists, will be offered a telephone consultation or invited to be seen as required.  Advice on location and time will be provided by phone.

Retinal Imaging & Injections:

Non-emergency cases will be cancelled until further notice. Urgent and sight saving treatments will continue at a clinic set up at the University of Gibraltar. Suitable transport arrangements will be organized as required.

Appointment times will be staggered to minimize contact between patients.

You will be called by the members of the eye team with your date and time of appointment.

EYE Repeat Prescriptions & Any General enquiries:

For any other enquiry please call 200 07226, Monday to Friday during the hours of 9.00 to 12.00 am & 2.00pm to 4.00pm.  If telephone lines are busy there will be a voice messaging service available.

Please leave your name, date of birth and GHA number and a member of the team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Alternatively, you can try the following mobile numbers during this time 56001673, 56002873, or 56002847

-       For eye related prescriptions please provide us with your name, date of birth, GHA number, expiry date of last prescription, pharmacy of your choice and your contact telephone number.

-       Your prescriptions will be sent to a pharmacy of your choice and will be ready for collection there. Please note that for repeat prescription it will take approximately 1 week to be ready for collection.

-       For any other urgent/non-urgent queries please provide your name, date of birth, GHA number and telephone contact number.

Eye drops usually issued by your GP as part of your repeat prescriptions, are provided via the Prescription Advisory Unit on 200 07909 or via email on prescriptionrepeats@gha.gi.  These will then be available to be dispensed and collected at your pharmacy.

Visually Impaired:

Any visually impaired individuals experiencing problems please call the GHA's Rehabilitation Officer for the visually impaired on 200 07389.

Originally Published by HM Government of Gibraltar

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The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.