A mobile ‘one stop shop’ for the treatment of eye injuries in military patients is now in operation thanks to monies raised by Edgbaston Golf Club for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB) Charity.

Wing Commander Rob Scott, Defence Consultant Advisor in Ophthalmology, has treated more than 50 patients on the military ward at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham in the relatively short time since the purchase of the equipment by the Charity.

With up to five military patients a week returning home with eye injuries, the most common of which are caused by shrapnel damage from roadside bombs and disease, Wing Commander Scott described the clinic as a “Godsend”.

The surgeon, who has over 20 years' experience in ophthalmology, added: “Previously we had to transport patients to a different site for a complete eye examination. Now, thanks to Edgbaston Golf Club’s fundraising efforts for the hospital charity, everything we need to conduct a thorough investigation is in one place.

“Having this package of equipment really makes a difference to the comfort of our patients as it is so convenient. We can look at the front of the eye and, using special lenses in a piece of equipment called a slit lamp, we can view deeper structures of the eye, such as the optic nerve. In short, our one stop shop enables us to make a diagnosis more quickly and therefore start treatment more quickly.”

As well as being of benefit to military patients, the mobility of the equipment means that staff can examine any patient with an eye injury anywhere in the hospital.

Edgbaston Golf Club has a long tradition of supporting good causes and its members were impressed with the support they received for their golf day and dinner in aid of military patients. Peter Millward, who coordinated the fundraising at the golf club, said: "It was good to go to the new Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham and see where the military patients are treated. We are glad we have been able to do something to support Wing Commander Scott in the valuable work he does."

For more information about how you can support patients at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham please visit the QEHB Charity website.