THIS is the first look at plans for a new £7.5 million specialist eye department.

Eye care specialists from Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust have been working with patients, architects and developers to create new facilities at Southlands Hospital in Shoreham.

The service is designed to enable more patients to receive all tests, results and diagnosis in one visit, with many treatments also available on the same day.

The plans will be displayed next month when patients, members of the public and any interested parties can meet the team and share their thoughts about the plans.

Consultant ophthalmologist Masoud Teimory said: “We’ve worked hard to reach this stage but the plans are still in progress and we welcome people’s views and input.

“This is a very exciting time for us and our patients, as our vision for improved and larger facilities at Southlands is fast becoming a reality.

“I hope to talk with lots of interested people at the exhibitions and explain how our new purpose-designed accommodation will help us deliver excellent care in a more patient-centred way.”

The first exhibition takes place on November 2 from 4pm to 7pm at Worthing Hospital’s education centre in Lyndhurst Road.

A second exhibition will be held at Southlands Hospital in Upper Shoreham Road on November 4 from 4.30pm to 7.30pm.

Visitors can drop-in at any time over the three hours.

The information will also be available to view at westernsussexhospitals.nhs.uk/eyecare from November onwards and will go on public display in both hospitals following the exhibitions.

The new centre, which will be called Western Sussex Eye Care | Southlands, is due open in early 2017.

All ophthalmology outpatients services will move from Worthing Hospital at this time, as agreed following a public consultation that took place in 2011.