HEALTH bosses promise waiting lists for eye patients will be slashed with the opening of a new clinic.

The service is based at Blackburn's Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn, and has been set up by the Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust and Burnley Health Care Trust .

Traditionally, eye patients in East Lancashire are seen at Burnley General Hospital but the new centre will mean many patients can be treated in Blackburn.

The clinic, which Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust ploughed £65,000 into, had an open day this week and the first patients passed through its doors yesterday.

Opthalmology nurses, commissioned by Burnley Health Care Trust, will work alongside two specialist GPs from the Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust.

The GPs, who will hold one session a week, will treat patients with specific eye conditions, such as cysts and conjuctivitis, referred to them by their GPs.

The opthalmology nurses will work alongside the GPs to hold glaucoma review clinics. Referrals will be taken from hospital consultants.

The new service has been developed to reduce demand on hospital based opthalmology services provided by the Acute Trust, and reduce waiting times.

It is also seen as a more appropriate way of managing patients with glaucoma.

Annaswami Vijaykumar, clinical director and consultant opthalmologist, said: "I have been closely involved in developing this exciting new service, which will bring benefits for patients with specific conditions.

"It will also help hospital services focus more effectively on the needs of patients with complex conditions or those needing surgery.

"At a future date we hope to be able to extend this service to other areas."

Dr Richard Pollock, a GP for the Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust, said: "This is an excellent example of services being provided in a primary care setting by specialist GPs.

"I hope it will be seen as a valuable way forward by other services."

The clinics are accredited by East Lancashire Health Authority and standards will be ensured through regular clinical audit and surveys.