REI (Eye Infirmary)

New Royal Eye Infirmary building

People with eye conditions will be able to access a brand-new state-of-the-art facility this year as the building for a new REI is nearly complete. Located on William Prance Road, the new three-floor facility will bring together the outpatient and surgical eye treatments that are currently provided at Derriford Hospital.

As an aging population, the need for high quality eye care and eye issues are going to continue to increase, with more people experiencing conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. However, the new REI means more space and more equipment which is good news for waiting times for patients accessing our services. With more space, staff and equipment, we will be able to treat more patients.

More about Opthalmology (REI – Eye Services)

REI Benefits

  • The new REI will have improved access for patients with a drop-off zone and parking immediately outside of the building.
  • The facility will include theatres, an increased number of treatment rooms and an expanded area for young patients.
  • It will also include the addition of a third operating theatre dedicated to sub-specialisms, such as oculoplastic, orbital and corneal surgeries, to start to reduce the waiting times of patients from across Devon and Cornwall.
  • As a specialism, Ophthalmology (Eye Services) has a lower reliance on an acute hospital site, making it a suitable candidate for a move away from the Derriford Hospital site. However, Paediatric surgery and specialist ROP (Retinopathy of Prematurity) treatment will remain on site at Derriford.
  • The move will release space on level 3 of Derriford Hospital which will be reassigned as a clinical unit and an additional ward.

REI Location

REI, International Business Park, 3 Alpha Way, Plymouth, PL6 5ZF

How to find us

From the Plymouth City Centre

  • Head towards the A386 Tavistock Road.
  • Keep right and follow the signs for Plymouth International & Derriford Business & Retail Parks
  • Carry straight on to William Prance Road
  • Take first left (Starbucks on left, The Range on the right)
  • As you approach the mini roundabout, take second exit onto Alpha Way.
  • Carry straight on and the REI is on your left.

From Tavistock

  • Take A386 towards Derriford Roundabout
  • At the roundabout, take second exit onto Brest Road
  • Continue to roundabout
  • Take 3rd exit onto William Prance Road.
  • At traffic lights, turn right on to Alpha Way
  • The REI is straight ahead.

From Ivybridge

  • Follow Devon Expressway/A38 to Forder Valley Rd/ B3413
  • Continue on Forder Valley Road B3413
  • Take Platinum Parkway and at the top, keep left onto William Prance Road
  • At the roundabout, take the first exit, continuing on William Prance Road
  • At traffic lights, turn right onto Alpha Way
  • The REI is straight ahead.

Parking

Car parking charges are £1.20 an hour.

Unexpected stays or over-running appointments

In addition to standard parking arrangements, if your stay is unexpectedly extended either due to clinics running late or unexpected admission to hospital, then please ask the ward or department to contact the parking office on 32000 giving your car details and which car park you are parked in. 

Traveling by Bus

Plymouth CityBus service

Bus services 3442, 42A,42B42C and the 50 bus services all stop at the Tavistock Road bus stop by McDonald's.

The REI is about an 8 minute walk from Tavistock Road.

Stagecoach service

Bus services 1 and 1A stops on the Tavistock Road bus stop by McDonald's, with the REI being an 8 minute walk away.

 

Watch our drone footage of the Royal Eye Infirmary build:

 

REI History

The Royal Eye Infirmary has a strong connection to the Royal Family. Originally opened in 1821 as the Plymouth Eye Dispensary, it later adopted royalty in its name when in 1828 the HRH the Duke of Clarence, later King William IV, became its Patron. The Royal Eye Infirmary moved to a new building in 1901 to honour Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, and later His Majesty King Edward VII consented to continue the Royal Patronage. Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex attended the official re-opening of the Royal Eye Infirmary when it moved to the main Derriford Hospital site in April 2013.

Watch our video and meet 96 year old Bob, who has been using the REI for many years.
 

How to collect your medicines following your appointment

What are your options?

As the REI does not have an onsite outpatient pharmacy, your clinician will discuss the most appropriate option to collect your prescribed medication.

1) Collect from Boots Outpatient Pharmacy on Main Derriford Hospital Site

Your clinician may either write a paper prescription or an electonic prescription which can be collected from the Boots Outpatient Pharmacy on the main hospital site.

2) FP10 Prescription

If appropriate your clinician can provide a prescription (FP10) which can be taken to your local high street community pharmacy for dispensing. It may be the case that your medicines need to be specially ordered for you.

3) Couriered to your home address

In some circumstances if you require a hospital only or specialist medicine, it will be delivered to your home address.  Delivery of your medicines may take a  few days and require you be at home to receive the delivery within working hours.

Where is Boots pharmacy?

Boots is located next to multi-storey car park which is a short walk from the main entrance. Please follow the signs. 

If you have difficulties with mobility, there is a shuttle bus which can collect you from the main entrance.  

If you need to break up your journey there is some dedicated seating outside the Orthopaedic outpatient department, halfway between the main entrance and the Boots store. 

Opening hours  

  • Monday to Friday - 8.30am until 6pm 

  • Saturday - 9.00am until 2pm 

  • Sundays – closed. 

  • Bank Holidays – 9.00am until 4pm (excluding Christmas Day) 


Contacting Boots outpatient pharmacy 

  • Telephone number for UHP patients (external) 01752 237930 

Parking 

If you are parked in the multistorey car park, Boots is on the ground floor, next door to Costa.  

There will be two dedicated bays close to the Boots store allowing pharmacy customers to park for enough time to pick up their prescriptions. 

In addition, there is dedicated parking for disabled customers in the multistorey car park. 

For more information, please visit the Boots outpatient pharmacy webpage.

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