GMTV’s Fiona Phillips opens children’s eye clinic

The £1.1 million facility has been designed with children in mind and includes three play areas to help keep them entertained while they wait for their appointments and test results.

"I am absolutely honoured to open the new children's eye clinic at St Thomas' Hospital," said Fiona Phillips as she met patients, families and staff. "It is packed with state-of-the-art equipment and the staff are so friendly.

"It is never nice for a child to have to visit hospital, but you couldn't ask for a better place to take them than this. The new clinic is an amazing place – it is so bright and colourful, unlike anything you would expect of a hospital clinic."

Consultant ophthalmologist Denise Mabe said: "We were delighted to welcome Fiona to open the new children's eye clinic. She was very popular with all of the guests, especially the children.

"Our aim was to create a clinic which would accommodate cutting-edge clinical facilities within an environment that is both stimulating and reassuring to children with visual impairments. We are so pleased with the results – it has been very popular with the children and their families."

The clinic, which used to be based at Guy's Hospital, serves children in the boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark, as well as offering specialist care for children from across south east England and further afield.

The Evelina Children's Hospital Appeal has raised more than £200,000 to fund new equipment for the clinic, including a state-of-the-art portable camera which the doctors can take to the bedside of children who are too sick to visit the clinic.