Group legal action for Hampshire Hospitals NHS ophthalmology delays

If your eyesight has deteriorated after receiving delayed treatment at North Hampshire Hospital and Royal Hampshire County Hospital, our specialist group action team can help.

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Author

Christian Beadell

Partner and Head of Clinical Negligence

Last Updated

17th July 2026

Can I make a Hampshire Hospitals NHS ophthalmology claim?

We’re representing patients affected by delays and inadequate ophthalmology care at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital and Royal Hampshire County Hospital. If that sounds like you, you may be able to claim compensation. That might mean you experienced delayed eye treatment, and your eyesight has worsened as a result. Delays in ophthalmology care can have serious, consequences, and patients have a right to expect timely treatment.

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has acknowledged challenges with capacity in its ophthalmology departments. Patients who were not seen within a reasonable time have reported worsening eye conditions. In some cases, individuals have undergone surgery when less invasive treatments – such as eye drops – could have been effective if given sooner.

You may have a valid claim if you were due to receive eye treatment at either hospital, your appointment or treatment was delayed, and your condition deteriorated as a result. Even if you are unsure whether the delay caused your worsening symptoms, it is still worth speaking to us. We will assess your case honestly and tell you clearly whether we think you have grounds to proceed.

Example of a Hampshire Hospitals NHS ophthalmology claim

Imagine a patient referred to Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital for monitoring of a progressive eye condition. Due to repeated delays in their follow-up appointments, their condition worsens significantly, reaching a point where surgery is now required, when earlier treatment with eye drops could have prevented that outcome. If the Trust’s ophthalmology team failed to see the patient within a clinically appropriate timeframe and that delay caused measurable harm, this could form the basis of a valid negligence claim.

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What compensation can help with

Supporting your recovery and securing your financial future.

Compensation in ophthalmology negligence cases is not only about recognising the impact on your eyesight. It is about making sure you have the financial support to access treatment that can make a real difference to your daytoday life.

A successful Hampshire Hospitals NHS ophthalmology claim may help fund:

The cost of specialist eye treatment or surgery you would not otherwise have needed
Ongoing monitoring and follow-up appointments
Psychological support and counselling for the anxiety and distress caused
Loss of earnings if your vision problems have affected your ability to work
Travel costs related to hospital appointments and treatment
Care and assistance costs if your daily life has been significantly affected
General damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity

Understanding the potential value

Compensation for delayed ophthalmology treatment depends on your individual experience, including the extent of the avoidable deterioration, whether you needed additional treatment as a result, and how the worsening of your vision has affected your daily life.

The value of any claim will depend on the nature and extent of your vision loss caused by the delay in your treatment, how this has affected your ability to work and care for yourself, and the level of ongoing support or treatment you now need. We will work with independent medical experts to ensure your losses are fully and accurately assessed.

This is an ongoing group action, and further information about case outcomes will be shared as it becomes available.

Understanding special and general damages

In any clinical negligence case, settlements are made up of two types of damages: general and special. General damages cover the pain, suffering and impact on your day-to-day life.

This can include the emotional impact, as well as the physical. Special damages reflect any financial losses we can evidence – like treatment costs, rehabilitation, lost income and travel expenses. We will look carefully at your circumstances to ensure both are fully and accurately reflected in your claim.

Specialist Hampshire Hospitals NHS ophthalmology solicitors

Our group actions team has handled complex ophthalmology cases across the UK.

Why choose Fletchers for your Hampshire Hospitals NHS ophthalmology claim?

Group actions require dedicated coordination and a legal team with the experience to manage cases at scale, while still providing clear, personal support to every client. At Fletchers, our group actions team has the expertise and the resources to offer a genuine commitment, giving each person the best possible chance of a successful outcome.

Expertise you can rely on

Dedicated group actions team with the infrastructure to manage complex, multi-party NHS negligence cases
Specialists in clinical negligence and personal injury, including ophthalmology and delayed treatment claims
Ranked among leading lawyers in this field – Legal 500 2024 describes Fletchers as ‘specialists in what they do’ who ‘go above and beyond’
Proven track record of securing compensation for patients harmed by delayed NHS treatment
We work with independent medical experts to build robust evidence and accurately assess your losses
Free case assessment so you can understand your options before committing to anything
No win, no fee – so you can pursue your claim without financial risk

You're not alone

We understand what you are going through.

Many people feel unsure about pursuing a claim through a group action, especially when their medical treatment was complex or their eyesight was already deteriorating. It is completely understandable to wonder whether what happened to you was avoidable, or whether you even have a claim at all.

For some patients, learning that part of their vision loss could have been prevented with timely care is incredibly hard to come to terms with. We also recognise the frustration that comes with knowing that earlier or more appropriate treatment might have made a difference. Many of the people we support have spent months trying to get answers while coping with the daytoday impact of their worsening sight.

You are not alone in this, we are already supporting a group of patients affected by delays in the ophthalmology departments at these hospitals. Being part of a group action means you can benefit from shared evidence, coordinated legal work and a team focused on achieving the best possible outcome for everyone involved.

From your first conversation with us, we will listen carefully, explain your options clearly and take on the hard work so you can focus on living your life. This is not only about compensation, it is also about helping to improve standards of care and ensuring that what happened to you is not allowed to happen to others.

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FAQs about Hampshire Hospitals NHS ophthalmology claims

What is a group action?

A group action brings together people who have been affected in a similar way by the same organisation. Each person has their own individual claim, but shared issues are investigated collectively.

This makes the process more efficient and can strengthen the overall case.

How long does a group ophthalmology negligence claim take?

Group actions can take longer than individual claims because of the additional steps involved – including applying to the court for a Group Litigation Order if needed, and coordinating evidence across a number of clients.

We will give you a realistic estimate once we have assessed your case, and we will keep you updated at every stage so you always know where things stand.

What evidence will I need to support my claim?

We will guide you through what is needed, but typically this will include your medical records from the Trust, details of the appointments or treatment that were delayed, and evidence of how your condition has changed.

We will gather and review this evidence on your behalf and work with independent medical experts to build your case.

What is a Group Litigation Order?

A Group Litigation Order (GLO) is a court order that allows a number of claims with shared issues of fact or law to be managed together. It is sometimes used in large group actions to make the process more efficient.

Where a GLO is needed in this case, our team will handle the application and all related court procedures on your behalf.

What support will I receive during my claim?

From your first contact with us, you will have a dedicated team managing your case. We will complete a free case assessment, keep you informed at every stage, and explain what is happening in plain language.

Our group actions team has the infrastructure to manage complex cases efficiently – but we never lose sight of the fact that behind every case is a person who deserves to be heard and supported.

Can I claim if I am not sure the delay caused my worsening eyesight?

Yes – uncertainty about the link between the delay and your deterioration is very common, and it does not prevent you from seeking advice.

We will review your records and work with independent medical experts to assess whether there is a connection. We will always give you an honest view of your prospects before asking you to commit to anything.

How much does it cost to make a claim?

Once we have completed your free case assessment, we may be able to take your case on a No Win No Fee basis. This means there is nothing to pay upfront, and if your claim is unsuccessful you will not owe us anything.

We will explain the full terms clearly before you make any decision.

What hospitals are included in this group action?

This group action relates to patients who received delayed or substandard ophthalmology care at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital or Royal Hampshire County Hospital – both part of Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

If you received treatment at either of these hospitals and your eyesight has deteriorated as a result of a delay, you may be eligible to join the group.