Patients lost sight due to poor care, trust admits

Multiple glaucoma patients have suffered significant harm, including loss of sight, after treatment guidelines were not followed by more than one member of staff over a number of years at the same trust, HSJ has learned.

George Eliot Hospital Trust has admitted that a locum consultant followed “incorrect processes” when treating patients, which led to “significant harm” to eight people.

Fresh concerns have also been raised about a separate optometrist treating glaucoma patients at GEH, and possible harm caused again because of processes not being followed. However, the trust does not yet know how many patients were harmed as a result of this case.

The developments have prompted the Royal College of Ophthalmologists’ review service to plan a visit to the trust next month, the trust confirmed.

Trust board papers from May revealed its quality assurance committee was made aware of concerns last year where patients were discharged without National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance having been followed. It discovered some patients returned with “permanent visual damage”, which led to a review of notes regarding one locum consultant. The individual no longer works at the organisation.

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Source: HSJ, 21 July 2025