Specialist eye hospital group Optegra has appointed Chris Chisholm as clinical services director.

Chisholm has a knowledge of the medical sector, having worked for nine years with Fresenius Medical Care, supporting people with chronic kidney failure. He started his career in 1999 as an NHS healthcare assistant, qualified as a nurse and moved his way up to charge nurse and then management roles within Newcastle hospitals. He then joined Fresenius as a clinical nurse specialist and then lead nurse.

In 2016 Chisholm moved into a sales role, from regional business manager, to sales manager, and then director of clinical services and operations.

Chisholm said: “This variety of experience spanning clinical and commercial management roles means I can really directly support my team here at Optegra and give clinical services a voice at leadership team level. As I have worked in most roles in the nursing capacity, I can empathise with every individual, I have walked their walk and can talk their talk. 

“I’m looking forward to this role, which is largely managing people and processes. While Optegra is clearly offering a fantastic service with very impressive patient reviews, I believe there are always opportunities for improvements and especially exploring opportunities as the business continues to grow with additional new NHS cataract clinics scheduled this year.”

Optegra’s UK managing director Mat Pickering said: “It is rare to find a colleague with the combined level of nursing and business acumen which Chris has. We are excited that he is joining us and really bringing the challenges and opportunities of clinical services to the forefront as we endeavour to continue to improve services and patient experience across all our 14 UK hospitals and clinics.”

Optegra Eye Health Care was established in 2007, with its first hospital opening in 2008. It has 31 eye hospitals and more than 60 locations across the UK, Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia.