Please note: The following information is for people who have already been referred for cataract surgery in Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, or Berkshire West. 

Provider choice

Following referral for surgery, you will receive an SMS text informing you of a planned call from Dora, our automated call service. Dora will call from +44(0) 1182 276374, please save the number in your contacts to recognise when Dora calls.

During the planned call you will be asked to provide your medical history and select where you would like to attend for surgery.  Your options may be restricted based on the level of complexity of your needs; for instance if you are having treatment for other eye conditions, you will need to use the same hospital. You will be made aware of the providers you may use, and the details below are intended to help inform your choice.

If you have been referred for cataract surgery on both eyes (also known as bilateral), you may wish to ask for both procedures to be done at the same time. If it is clinically appropriate, the hospitals listed which offer bilateral surgery may be able to do this for you.

More about Dora

Dora is an automated telephone assistant who will call you around two weeks after you have been referred for cataract surgery. You will receive a text message with the date and time of your call.

During the phone conversation Dora will gather your medical history and preferred treatment directly. You can speak naturally with Dora just like you would to a nurse or doctor.

Please visit: www.ufonia.com for more information about Dora

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dora?

Dora is a specially-trained product designed by Ufonia to have conversations with you about your health.

Ufonia uses artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing (NLP) to interact with you through speech. Dora will ask you questions and can answer your questions. Dora can understand what you say and speak to you.

Ufonia gathers this information, can summarise it back to you, and passes this to your healthcare providers.

Why is Dora being used?

Dora can have routine clinical conversations with you, aiming to provide a standardised, high quality, and efficient patient experience. This allows healthcare professionals to focus on more complex tasks, improves efficiency, and ensures you receive timely, accurate care.

When will I receive a phone call(s) from Dora?

Dora can have conversations with you when you are referred to a healthcare provider, for example for cataract surgery. Dora can also call you before your appointment with the healthcare provider to check your health and confirm your attendance. Dora can also call you for a post-operative / post-procedure check and to assess the impact of the operation/procedure on your health and lifestyle.

How does Dora improve my healthcare experience?

Dora improves your healthcare experience by providing timely and consistent communication, reducing wait times for routine check-ups, and allowing healthcare providers to focus on more complex care needs. This helps ensure you receive efficient and effective care.

How is my data protected?

As a patient, Ufonia acts as a data processor on behalf of your healthcare provider. Data is protected using advanced security measures. Ufonia employs encryption to safeguard your information during transmission and storage.

Additionally, Ufonia complies with relevant data protection regulations to ensure that your personal and medical information is kept confidential and only accessible to authorised personnel.

You can contact your healthcare provider for more information or to raise any concerns about data privacy.

How do I have a conversation with Dora?

Speaking to Dora is easy; you can speak to Dora like a person, talking as you normally would.

You can ask Dora to speed up, slow down, talk louder, or quieter. Dora will remember this and conduct any subsequent calls according to your preferences!

Can I ask Dora questions during the call?

Yes, you can ask Dora questions. Dora is programmed to provide helpful responses and can address many commonly asked questions. However, for more complex questions, you will be contacted by your healthcare provider directly.

How accurate is the information provided by Dora?

Dora uses reliable medical guidelines and information to ensure that the advice and responses it provides are accurate and up-to-date. However, it is important for you to follow up with your healthcare provider for any specific medical advice or concerns.

As part of the Dora call, you will be given safety net advice about urgent symptoms and contact details for your healthcare provider, your GP, or 111 if you have concerns.

Can Dora speak to all patients?

In general, you can have a conversation with Dora if you:

  • are an adult
  • are able to speak English
  • have a personal phone, including landlines and/or mobile phones
  • do not have a significant cognitive or hearing impairment

Can Dora understand me if I have an accent?

Yes, Dora is equipped with advanced speech recognition capabilities that can understand a variety of accents and speech patterns. If you speak slowly or have an accent, Dora should still be able to accurately interpret your responses.

Can Dora speak to me in another language?

Dora is not yet able to speak to you in another language.

Can someone speak to Dora on my behalf?

At present, Ufonia does not encourage someone else to speak on your behalf. This is because the Dora conversation includes a security question to ensure that Dora is speaking with you.

What if Dora doesn't understand me?

If Dora has trouble understanding you, it will ask you to repeat or clarify your response. If the issue persists, Dora will move onto the next question and flag this part of the conversation. If Dora cannot understand your choice of hospital or clinic, or if you are unable to choose one during the call, one of our administrators may call you back.

What number will Dora call me from?

Dora will call you from a local phone number which will be provided as part of written information you receive about the Dora call.

Healthcare providers may encourage you to save this number to your phone book to avoid Dora calls being filtered as spam.

How will I be notified about my scheduled Dora call(s)?

You will be notified about your scheduled Dora call(s) via text message and/or letter.

For example, if you are referred for cataract surgery, you will receive a text message advising of the date and time of your Dora call. If you are listed for a Dora post-operative check, you will receive a letter upon discharge from your healthcare provider advising of the date and time of your Dora call, as well as a text message reminder.

Notifications include the date, time, and instructions for the call (i.e. which number you will be called from).

I missed a call from Dora, what happens next?

Dora will try to call you multiple times within 30 minutes of the original appointment time on any numbers available, including landlines and mobile phones. If you miss these calls, Dora will attempt to contact you at a rescheduled time, usually later in the day or within a few days.

If you still cannot be contacted on any of these attempts, the call will be marked as a DNA (did not attend) and passed on to the relevant healthcare provider or back to the original referrer.

Can I reschedule the date and time of my Dora call?

At present, you cannot call Dora back or reschedule your call for another date or time.

Why didn’t Dora call when I was told it would?

Occasionally, Dora is unable to contact you because you have the call guardian feature enabled, or the call is automatically marked as spam.

Very occasionally, Ufonia experiences technical difficulties and the calls do not connect. In these cases, calls will be rescheduled as close in time as possible to the original call.

What information does Ufonia have about me?

Ufonia has only the minimum and necessary information required to conduct clinical conversations with you such as your name and telephone number(s).

How can I update my information?

You should contact your GP and/or healthcare provider to update your contact details.

Can I reschedule my hospital appointments through Dora?

No, but you can provide information to Dora about whether or not you can attend an appointment with your healthcare provider, which will be passed back to them for review and action.

Can I change my responses and choices after the call?

If you provide incorrect information on the call, or change your mind about where you would like to go, you should contact the hospital or clinic where you have been referred.

 

 

Cataract surgery hospitals and surgical clinics

Please note, the waiting times below are for non-complex surgery. Patients whose surgery may be more complex due to other medical conditions will need to attend one of the hospitals indicated below; the waiting times for these patients may be slightly longer.

Please choose the geographical area to see the list of hospitals and clinics.

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Mandeville Road,
Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP21 8AL

Do you provide surgery for complex and non-complex cases? We provide surgery for complex and non-complex cataract surgery.

Is the option for bilateral surgery available? Yes

Average wait from referral to first appointment (non complex): less than 8 weeks

Average wait from referral to surgery (non complex): less than 8 weeks

Average wait from referral to first appointment (complex): less than 8 weeks

Average wait from referral to surgery (complex): 8 to 18 weeks 

Carparking is available.

The closest train station is Stoke Mandeville Station which is 1.6 miles away, 16 minutes by bus (130 or X9)

Transport to hospital is /is not provided

Further details are available on the following website: https://www.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk/visiting-your-hospitals/visiting/stoke-mandeville-hospital/

Ramsay Blakelands, Smeaton Close, Blakelands, Milton Keynes MK14 5HR

Do you provide surgery for complex and non-complex cases? We only provide surgery for non-complex cataract surgery.

Is the option for bilateral surgery available? Information awaited

Average wait from referral to first appointment (non-complex): Information awaited

Average wait from referral to surgery: Information awaited

Carparking is available.

The closest train station is Milton Keynes Central which is 4.1 miles away.

Transport to hospital is /is not provided (Information awaited)

Further details are available on the following website: https://www.ramsayhealth.co.uk/hospitals/blakelands-hospital/treatments/ophthalmology/cataract-surgery

Cherwell Hospital, Horton General Hospital, Oxford Rd, Banbury OX16 9FG

Do you provide surgery for complex and non-complex cases? We provide  complex and non-complex cataract surgery.. Please note, first appointments for our patients are held at the John Radcliffe Hospital only.

Is the option for bilateral surgery available? No

Average wait from referral to first appointment: Less than 8 weeks

Average wait from referral to surgery: Less than 8 weeks

Carparking is available.

The closest train station is Banbury, which is 1.6 miles away, this is served by the S4 gold and 488 bus routes.

Transport to hospital is not provided

Further details are available on the following website:

Ophthalmology | The Cherwell Hospital | Ramsay Health Care UK

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DU

Do you provide surgery for complex and non-complex cases? We provide complex and non-complex cataract surgery.

Average wait from referral to first appointment (non-complex): Less than 8 weeks

Average wait from referral to surgery (non-complex): 8 to 18 weeks

Average wait from referral to first appointment (complex): Less than 8 weeks

Average wait from referral to surgery (complex): more than 18 weeks

Carparking is available.

The closest train station is Oxford, which is 3 miles away, several bus services serve the hospital and Headington.

Transport to hospital is not provided

Further details are available on the following website:  https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/eye-hospital/

 

Newmedica Oxfordshire, Avalon House, Marcham Road, Abingdon OX14 1TZ

Do you provide surgery for complex and non-complex cases? We provide surgery for non-complex cataract surgery only.

Is the option for bilateral surgery available? No

Average wait from referral to first appointment:  less than 8 weeks

Average wait from referral to surgery:  less than 8 weeks

Carparking is available.

The closest train stations are Oxford which is 8 miles away and Didcot which is 7 miles away.

Transport to hospital is available.

Further details are available on the following website: Oxfordshire | Newmedica

 

SpaMedica, Oxford, 14 Blenheim Office Park, Long Hanborough, Oxford, OX29 8LN

Do you provide surgery for complex and non-complex cases? We provide surgery for non-complex cataract surgery only.

Is the option for bilateral surgery available? No

Average wait from referral to first appointment: less than 8 weeks

Average wait from referral to surgery:  less than 8 weeks

Carparking is available.

The closest train station is Hanborough, which is 0.6 miles away

Transport to hospital is offered.

Further details are available on the following website: SpaMedica Oxford | Cataract Surgery in Oxford

 

Circle Reading, 100 Drake Way, Reading, RG2 0NE

Do you provide surgery for complex and non-complex cases? We provide surgery for non-complex cataract surgery only.

Is the option for bilateral surgery available? Yes

Average wait from referral to first appointment: less than 8 weeks

Average wait from referral to surgery: 8 to 18 weeks

Carparking is available.

The closest train station is Reading, which is 2.9 miles away, bus route 10 or 10 min by car.

Transport to hospital is not provided.

Further details are available on the following website:  https://www.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/hospitals/circle-reading-hospital

Ramsay - Berkshire Independent Hospital, Swallows Croft, Wensley Road, Reading, RG1 6UZ

Do you provide surgery for complex and non-complex cases? We provide surgery for non-complex cataract surgery only.

Is the option for bilateral surgery available? Yes

Average wait from referral to first appointment:  less than 8 weeks

Average wait from referral to surgery: less than 8 weeks

Carparking is available.

The closest train station is Reading which is 2.3 miles away, car travel 10 mins or bus route 11

Transport to hospital is not provided

Further details are available on the following website: https://www.ramsayhealth.co.uk/hospitals/berkshire-independent-hospital

 

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, Prince Charles Eye unit, Leonards Rd, Windsor SL4 3DP

Do you provide surgery for complex and non-complex cases? We provide surgery for non-complex and complex cataract surgery.

Is the option for bilateral surgery available? Yes

Average wait from referral to first appointment (non complex): less than 8 weeks

Average wait from referral to surgery: less than 8 weeks

Average wait from referral to first appointment (complex): less than 8 weeks

Average wait from referral to surgery: more than 18 weeks

Carparking is available.

The closest train station is Windsor and Eton Central Station which is 1.2 miles away served by bus routes 8, 702, 703.

Transport to hospital is not provided.

Further details are available on the following website: https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/our-locations/prince-charles-eye-unit/

 

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Berkshire Hospital, London Rd, Reading RG1 5AN

Do you provide surgery for complex and non-complex cases? We provide surgery for non-complex and complex cataract surgery.

Is the option for bilateral surgery available? Yes

Average wait from referral to first appointment (non complex): less than 8 weeks

Average wait from referral to surgery: 8 – 18 weeks

Average wait from referral to first appointment (complex): less than 8 weeks

Average wait from referral to surgery: more than 18 weeks

 

Carparking is available.

The closest train station is Reading Station, which is 0.8 miles away, this is served by the 21 claret, 4 lion, 17 purple, 850 and 128 bus routes

Transport to hospital is not provided.

Further details are available on the following website: https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/our-locations/royal-berkshire-hospital/

 

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, West Berkshire Community Hospital, London Rd, Benham Hill, Thatcham RG18 3AS

Do you provide surgery for complex and non-complex cases? We provide surgery for non-complex cataract surgery only.

Is the option for bilateral surgery available? Yes

Average wait from referral to first appointment: less than 8 weeks

Average wait from referral to surgery: less than 8 weeks

Carparking is available.

The closest train stations are Newbury Station - 1.8 miles or Thatcham Station - 2.6 Miles.

Transport to hospital is not provided.

Further details are available on the following website: https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/our-locations/west-berkshire-community-hospital/

 

SpaMedica Wokingham, Quoin House, Fishponds Road, Wokingham, Berkshire. RG41 2QJ

Do you provide surgery for complex and non-complex cases? We provide surgery for non-complex cataract surgery only.

Is the option for bilateral surgery available? No

Average wait from referral to first appointment: less than 8 weeks

Average wait from referral to surgery: less than 8 weeks

Carparking is available.

The closest train station is Wokingham Station which is 0.8 mile away and is served by the 3 leopard bus route.

Transport to hospital is available.

Further details are available on the following website: https://www.spamedica.co.uk/location/wokingham/

 

Newmedica Berkshire, Buckland House, 10 Waterside Drive, Langley, Slough, SL3 6EZ

Do you provide surgery for complex and non-complex cases? We provide surgery for non-complex cataract surgery only.

Is the option for bilateral surgery available? Only in exceptional circumstances and dependent on individual surgeon

Average wait from referral to first appointment: less than 8 weeks

Average wait from referral to surgery: less than 8 weeks

Carparking is available.

The closest train station is Slough, which is 3 miles away.

Transport to hospital is available.

Further details are available on the following website: Swindon | Newmedica

 

Newmedica Swindon, 1 Islington Street, Swindon, SN1 2DQV

Do you provide surgery for complex and non-complex cases? We only provide an outpatient service, surgery for non-complex cataract surgery takes place at Newmedica Gloucester Brighouse.

Is the option for bilateral surgery available? See Newmedica Gloucester Brighouse

Average wait from referral to first appointment: less than 8 weeks

Average wait from referral to surgery: See Newmedica Gloucester Brighouse

Carparking is available.

The closest train station is Swindon, which is 1 mile away.

Transport to hospital is available.

Further details are available on the following website: Swindon | Newmedica

 

 

 

SpaMedica Bedford, Bedford Heights, Ground Floor, Manton Lane, Brickhill Drive Entrance, Bedford, MK41 7PH

Do you provide surgery for complex and non-complex cases? We provide surgery for non-complex cataract surgery only.

Is the option for bilateral surgery available? No

Average wait from referral to first appointment: less than 8 weeks

Average wait from referral to surgery: less than 8 weeks

Carparking is available.

The closest train station is Ashburnham, which is 1.3 miles away.

Transport to hospital is available.

Further details are available on the following website: SpaMedica Bedford | Cataract Surgery in Bedford

 

SpaMedica Bristol, Corum 2, Corum Office Park, Crown Way, Warmley, Bristol. BS30 8FJ

Do you provide surgery for complex and non-complex cases? We provide surgery for non-complex cataract surgery only.

Is the option for bilateral surgery available? No

Average wait from referral to first appointment: less than 8 weeks

Average wait from referral to surgery: less than 8 weeks

Carparking is available.

The closest train station is Keynsham, which is 4.5 miles away.

Transport to hospital is available.

Further details are available on the following website: SpaMedica Bristol | Cataract Surgery in Bristol

 

SpaMedica Coventry, 1410 Spring Place, Herald Avenue, Coventry Business Park, Coventry, CV5 6UB

Do you provide surgery for complex and non-complex cases? We provide surgery for non-complex cataract surgery only.

Is the option for bilateral surgery available? No

Average wait from referral to first appointment: less than 8 weeks

Average wait from referral to surgery: less than 8 weeks

Carparking is available.

The closest train station is Canley, which is 0.5 miles away.

Transport to hospital is available.

Further details are available on the following website:

 

Newmedica Gloucester Brighouse 19D Brighouse Court, Barnwood, Gloucester GL4 3RT

Do you provide surgery for complex and non-complex cases? We provide surgery for non-complex cataract surgery only.

Is the option for bilateral surgery available? Only in exceptional circumstances and dependent on individual surgeon.

Average wait from referral to first appointment: less than 8 weeks

Average wait from referral to surgery: less than 8 weeks

Carparking is available.

The closest train station is Gloucester, which is 3 miles away

Transport to hospital is available.

Further details are available on the following website: Gloucester Brighouse | Newmedica

 

SpaMedica Gloucester, Ground Floor Suite 2, Sanctus House, Olympus Business Park, Quedgeley, Gloucester, GL2 4DH

Do you provide surgery for complex and non-complex cases? We provide surgery for non-complex cataract surgery only.

Is the option for bilateral surgery available? No

Average wait from referral to first appointment: less than 8 weeks

Average wait from referral to surgery: less than 8 weeks

Carparking is available.

The closest train station is Gloucester, which is 3.5 miles away

Transport to hospital is available.

Further details are available on the following website: https://www.spamedica.co.uk/location/gloucester/

 

Newmedica Northampton, Unit 2-3 Westbury Court, Anglia Way, Moulton Park, Northampton, NN3 6JA

Do you provide surgery for complex and non-complex cases? We provide surgery for non-complex cataract surgery only.

Is the option for bilateral surgery available? Only in exceptional circumstances and dependent on individual surgeon.

Average wait from referral to first appointment: less than 8 weeks

Average wait from referral to surgery: less than 8 weeks

Carparking is available.

The closest train station is Northampton, which is 5 miles away.

Transport to hospital is available.

Further details are available on the following website: Northampton | Newmedica

 

SpaMedica Watford, Ground Floor, St Andrews, The Belfry, Watford, WD24 4WH

Do you provide surgery for complex and non-complex cases? We provide surgery for non-complex cataract surgery only.

Is the option for bilateral surgery available? No

Average wait from referral to first appointment:  less than 8 weeks

Average wait from referral to surgery: less than 8 weeks

Carparking is available.

The closest train station is Watford Junction, which is 2 miles away.

Transport to hospital is available.

Further details are available on the following website: SpaMedica Watford | Cataract Surgery in Watford