Healthwatch Havering – an independent organisation that aims to represent residents’ views of health services in the borough – has published a report reviewing the services at Spa Medica Romford, in South Street.
The report is based on an Enter and View visit undertaken in July 2025, where a team of representatives visited the service and made recommendations for improvements.
While the clinic is a private medical facility, it offers eye care to NHS patients under contract to NHS North East London – currently seeing around 26 patients each day.
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The clinic told Healthwatch representatives that it would like to expand so the list of patients could be increased “if suitable premises became available”.
The report, published on August 15, said: “They recognise there is room for development and expansion if the opportunity occurs, bearing in mind the large, ageing population in the area.
“They always deal with any post operative issues themselves and do not refer patients to A&E unless necessary, providing 24/7 cover, including transport if necessary.”
During the visit, the team spoke to two staff members and three patients, as well as speaking to the manager and area manager at the facility.
The report commented that the staff appeared “very conscious of patients’ concerns” over eye surgery and were “keen to put them at ease”.
Meanwhile, the patients themselves – who are often referred by opticians or GPs – spoke “very highly” of the service.
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It was also noted in the report that the building is “well-appointed and easy to find”, with tea, coffee and biscuits freely available for patients.
Healthwatch Havering concluded: “The team formed the impression that this is a well-run hospital with a close-knit team who like working with each other to provide the best service they can.
“The staff were very friendly and generous with their time during the visit.”
The only recommendation the body made was for a locally-operated phone line, instead of the current system where a central number serves all Spa Medica facilities.
