Kirith Entwistle, MP for Bolton North East, visited SpaMedica Bolton on Monday, 6 April 2026. SpaMedica is one of the UK’s largest independent providers of NHS-funded ophthalmology care, specialising in cataract surgery, Glaucoma, AMD, and YAG laser capsulotomy. The company is headquartered in Bolton with over 200 staff across two locations, reducing NHS waiting times in Greater Manchester. SpaMedica Bolton, rated 'Good' by the Care Quality Commission, treated 4,500 patients in 2025, 30% from deprived areas. Entwistle toured the facility, met clinical experts, and experienced the full patient journey. Discussions focused on utilising independent sector for community care to cut waiting lists. Kirith Entwistle MP praised SpaMedica's efficient model and patient-focused approach. Tom Fellows, Head of Policy at SpaMedica, highlighted partnership to reduce waits and expand access. Alex Silvester, Chief Medical Officer at SpaMedica, emphasised dedicated care for Bolton patients. Bolton (Bolton Today) April 13, 2026 - Kirith Entwistle, the Member of Parliament for Bolton North East, visited SpaMedica's Bolton facility on 6 April 2026 to explore its contributions to NHS ophthalmology services. The tour highlighted the independent provider's role in delivering cataract surgery and other eye treatments to local residents, easing pressures on NHS hospitals. As reported in Primary Health Net, Entwistle met clinical experts and walked through the complete patient experience from triage to treatment. Kirith Entwistle, MP for Bolton North East, aimed to understand how SpaMedica supports local NHS patients during her visit on Monday, 6 April 2026. According to Primary Health Net coverage, the MP discussed critical care provision and NHS ophthalmology support with the team. SpaMedica, headquartered in Bolton, employs more than 200 staff across two city sites, playing a key role in Greater Manchester's eye care access. The visit underscored SpaMedica's unique patient triaging system, which directs complex cases to specialists, yielding NHS savings. Entwistle learned how community-based treatments reduce hospital burdens. A Facebook post by Kirith Entwistle MP described SpaMedica as "a great partner to our NHS," noting its Bolton base and nationwide delivery. SpaMedica specialises in NHS-funded ophthalmology, including cataract surgery, Glaucoma management, Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) treatment, and YAG laser capsulotomy. The provider achieves industry-leading outcomes and top patient satisfaction scores. Its Bolton site, rated 'Good' by the Care Quality Commission, supports vital local eyecare. In 2025, SpaMedica Bolton treated 4,500 patients, with about 30% from deprived local neighbourhoods. The dedicated local team bolsters jobs and community health. As per Primary Health Net, SpaMedica enables safe community treatments, cutting waiting lists. SpaMedica reduces NHS waiting times and widens eye care access in Greater Manchester. By matching patients to appropriate care levels, it provides cost efficiencies for the NHS. During the visit, SpaMedica advocated for greater NHS use of independent resources for community-based, high-value care. The company alleviates pressure on local hospitals through scalable capacity. Kirith Entwistle MP, as quoted in her social media video shared on Facebook on 10 April 2026, stated that SpaMedica "took me through the patient experience," praising its efficiency. An Instagram reel by the MP echoed this, describing a tour of the Bolton Town Centre headquarters. As reported by Primary Health Net, Kirith Entwistle MP sa In a Facebook video posted on 10 April 2026, Entwistle MP reiterated: "SpaMedica are a great partner to our NHS. Bolton-based but delivering care across the country." These statements highlight her endorsement of the provider's contributions. Tom Fellows, Head of Policy at SpaMedica, said as per Primary Health Net: “SpaMedica is proud to be a long-term partner to the NHS, helping to reduce waiting times and expand access to high-quality eye care. Our model delivers scalable capacity in community settings, supporting Trusts, improving patient access and ensuring value for taxpayers.” Alex Silvester, Chief Medical Officer at SpaMedica, added: “Our team is dedicated to delivering safe, efficient and compassionate care to NHS patients in Bolton. We are committed partners of the NHS and look forward to continuing to work with them to deliver high-quality patient care for residents across Bolton.” These comments were made during discussions with the MP. SpaMedica has deep roots in Bolton, with its headquarters there since 2017 and recent expansions. The company, one of the UK's largest NHS cataract providers, employs over 1,700 nationwide but maintains a strong local presence with 200+ staff in Bolton. Past visits, like former MP Mark Logan's tour of new offices in 2023, show ongoing political engagement. Bolton sites include clinical facilities and offices supporting referrals, appointments, and transport. The 2026 visit by Kirith Entwistle continues this tradition amid NHS challenges. Kirith Entwistle serves as the Labour MP for Bolton North East, focusing on NHS protection, housing, education, and inequalities. Her constituency office is at 421 Blackburn Road, Bolton, BL1 8NJ, open for drop-ins weekdays. Contactable at [email protected] or 01204 860 027, she actively engages locally, as seen in this SpaMedica visit. Entwistle's interests include health, communities, and local government. Bolton Labour describes her as dedicated to improving opportunities and ensuring no one is left behind. The visit spotlights independent providers' role in NHS recovery, particularly ophthalmology backlogs. SpaMedica's 4,500 treatments in 2025 demonstrate tangible impact on waits and deprived areas. It signals potential for expanded partnerships, benefiting taxpayers and patients. By touring facilities, Entwistle amplifies Bolton's healthcare story nationally. As a Bolton-based success, SpaMedica exemplifies local innovation addressing national issues. Discussions emphasised better NHS integration of independent care for broader community services. SpaMedica seeks to cut lists further and enhance outcomes. No specific new commitments were detailed, but leaders expressed commitment to ongoing collaboration. Entwistle's praise suggests advocacy for such models in Parliament. Future expansions could build on this momentum.Key Points
What prompted Kirith Entwistle's visit to SpaMedica Bolton?
What services does SpaMedica Bolton provide?
How does SpaMedica support the NHS in Bolton?
What did Kirith Entwistle say about the visit?
“Quality health care really matters and I was pleased to visit SpaMedica Bolton and meet the team responsible for delivering treatments that make an enormous difference to people’s quality of life. I was especially pleased to hear about SpaMedica’s efficient model for NHS patient care and we went through the patient experience from start to finish. It’s great to have such an important partner for our NHS based here in Bolton delivering high quality and essential care, and I love their patient focused approach which is embedded in every aspect of the organisation.”What are the responses from SpaMedica leaders?
What is the background of SpaMedica in Bolton?
Who is Kirith Entwistle, MP for Bolton North East?
Why is this visit significant for Bolton's healthcare?
What next steps were discussed?
Kirith Entwistle Visits SpaMedica Bolton 2026
In Bolton Politics News by News Desk – April 13, 2026 - 7:15 PM
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