London-based private ophthalmic clinic OCL Vision has appointed Alby Wakeling as head of operations.

Wakeling has worked for Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust for 19 years and was most recently general manager of ophthalmology. He is joined by six other new hires across the clinic’s nursing, operations and finance teams.

Juliet Hicks, chief operating officer at OCL Vision, said: “With the NHS still under immense pressure from the coronavirus pandemic and its knock-on effect on patient waiting times for elective treatment, the private healthcare sector has stepped up to provide a vital safety valve.

“Since we launched two and half years ago, OCL Vision has steadily expanded its team of world-class surgeons and the expertise we offer. We’re now able to provide treatment and care for a comprehensive range of eye conditions, helping everyone from those who want better vision to patients with serious problems such as glaucoma or retinal detachment.

“Together these factors have triggered a surge in demand, and in June we welcomed double the number of new patients that we saw at the start of 2021. We’re delighted to welcome Alby, who has an exceptional CV as a senior healthcare manager for the NHS, along with six other professionals, to our dedicated team as we continue to grow.”