CHEC, one of the UK’s leading providers of community healthcare, celebrated National Eye Health Week 2024 by welcoming local communities to a free Eye Health Fair, hosted at CHEC HQ in Preston.

The Eye Health Fair was CHEC’s first patient open day event, promoting and supporting the importance of eye health in line with National Eye Health Week. The community Eye Health Fair educated local people, with CHEC surgeon Dr Moeman Elnawawy on hand to answer questions and share advice about the importance of eyecare and patient choice.  

Working with the NHS, CHEC offers local residents increased choice and improved access to much-needed services in the community. Based in Broughton Business Park, Fulwood, CHEC Preston opened its doors in 2021 and has since welcomed thousands of ophthalmology patients. 

A free, fun and informative day for all ages, the Eye Health Fair took patients behind the scenes of the community hospital, provided refreshments including coffee and cake, and hosted activities such as games, prize draws, and face painting. 

Local charities including Galloways Society for the Blind and Guide Dogs UK attended the event with their own stations, to share their services and knowledge with the community. Disability charity Scope supplied eye drops, hot and cold compresses, eye cleansing wipes and spray to support dry eye conditions and eye health. 

Antonia Fox, Hospital Manager at CHEC Preston, said: “The Eye Health Fair was a fantastic opportunity for us to engage with patients in the local community, sharing the importance of eye health, offering our advice, and raising awareness of National Eye Health Week. Our patients are at the heart of everything we do, and the Eye Health Fair really was all about the community. It was lovely to see the community come together to meet our eye doctors, explore the hospital, and learn more about the incredible work of charities like Galloways and Guide Dogs UK.” 

CHEC Preston is one of over 30 CHEC hospitals treating patients across England, helping to reduce NHS waiting lists and providing accessible and quality healthcare, in the heart of the community. To learn more about the Eye Health Fair, or share ideas about future community events, please contact events@chec.uk.