Freedom of the City for St Paul's Eye Unit
LIVERPOOL'S St. Paul's Eye Unit, based
in the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, has been awarded the:- 'Freedom of the
City
of Liverpool', at a special ceremony that took place on Wednesday, 18 March 2015.
Representatives from the Eye Unit where formally
presented with the:- 'Freedom Scroll' at Liverpool Town Hall, in the company of
guests including staff and former patients who have benefited from the knowledge
and skills of those working at the unit.
Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Erica Kemp CBE said:- "St. Paul's
forms an important part of the fabric of our City's health heritage.
It's consistent, long standing reputation for world class excellence in both
care and research deserves to be promoted and recognised. I am delighted that
St. Paul's has been awarded Freedom of the City status."
The ceremony was the highlight of a programme of events St. Paul's Eye Unit that
has been
running throughout the week, to mark the centre's awarding of the:- 'Freedom of the
City'. The event included:- "Eyes Revealed" that was a special exhibition where members of the public
where able to experience a
wide range of interactive demonstrations designed to showcase the workings of
the eye and exciting new treatments.
St. Paul's Eye Unit's origins date back to 1871. In 1992 it moved from Old Hall
Street to its new site within the Royal Liverpool University Hospital. Now St.
Paul's provides a world renowned ophthalmic service. It has strong links with
the Department of Eye and Vision Science at the University of Liverpool and is
regarded globally as a centre of excellence for care, research and education.
Over 100,000 patients visit St. Paul's Eye Unit each year.
Professor Simon Harding, Chair Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology, St. Paul's
Eye Unit said:- "We are thrilled with this recognition which is testament
to the dedication and talent of our staff today and all those who have supported
and worked with St. Paul's over the past 100 years. It is a highly prestigious
accolade and one we are extremely proud to receive."
Former Lord Mayor of Liverpool and Alderman of the City, Roger Johnston
nominated St. Paul's for the award and will be speaking at the ceremony and at
an Extraordinary Council Meeting held in January 2014, and a unanimous 'yes'
vote was secured.
As a Type 2 diabetic, Mr Johnston has experienced St. Paul's pioneering
treatment himself. He was invited to attend a routine eye screening three years
ago held in his local GP surgery organised with the help of St. Paul's. Shortly
before retiring from his role as a long serving Liverpool City Councillor he
discovered that the test results diagnosed diabetic retinopathy - a condition
involving damage to the retina which leads to blindness if left untreated. Mr
Johnston was advised that if nothing was done he would lose his sight within 18
months. Amongst a range of options, he was invited to participate in a clinical
trial at the Clinical Eye Research Centre. A course of injections was
administered over the next year and a half to stabilise his diabetic maculaopthy
and allow subsequent successful removal of cataracts from both eyes.
"The result was nothing short of amazing. After the operation I remember watching the squirrels running about on Woolton
Golf Course from my window and noticing just how vivid the colour of their fur
was. I was also delighted to be able to spot different bird species and identify
between a robin and a green finch which I couldn't do before. Everything seemed
so much brighter, more vibrant and clearer. Previously I hadn't had the
confidence to drive at night but, now that I had my sight restored, my quality
of life had been completely transformed. The only downside of my new found sharp
vision was that I ended up paying a big bill for re decorating the entire house
once I could see just how much needed doing!
The staff at St. Paul's were incredible and I really felt that I received 5 star
treatment from world class professionals. If I hadn't attended the screening
appointment and benefited from the clinical trial I would now be blind and not a
day goes by when I don't appreciate the quality of care and treatment I was
given. They thoroughly deserve to be awarded Freedom of the City." says Mr Johnston.
