Newmedica has taken on its first trainee nurse, as part of a partnership with the University of Gloucestershire to train tomorrow's top ophthalmology nurses.

Newmedica Gloucestershire partnered with the university to offer training opportunities to student nurses, and Charlotte Bubb was the first through the door.

Charlotte joins Newmedica Gloucester's staff in its new state-of-the-art surgical centre, Brighouse Court, for 16 weeks. She will gain valuable experience in a surgical environment, as part of her training to qualify as a registered nurse.

Nigel Kirkpatrick, consultant ophthalmologist and clinical director at Newmedica, has worked in the county for 24 years and says the partnership will help improve ophthalmology services in the area.

He said: "Bringing Charlotte into our team is such an exciting move for all concerned. She has already shown great talent and enthusiasm, and will be a real asset for us while she's here.

"By linking with the University of Gloucestershire, we are guaranteeing that we take the best students and are able to give them the highest levels of training.

"Investment in training means that the people of Gloucestershire will have access to the best standards of eye-health treatment and care for years to come."

The new programme is led by Debs Andrew, a theatre training practitioner and registered nurse in Gloucester, who has more than 30 years' NHS experience in ophthalmic theatre nursing.

Nick Oxlade, placements and partnerships lead at University of Gloucestershire, said: "The University of Gloucestershire is excited to be working with Newmedica as a new placement partner.

"The university has a growing portfolio of professional health programmes, including adult nursing, mental health nursing, learning disability nursing, physiotherapy and paramedic science, as well as a number of post graduate offerings, master's degree pathways and other new programmes currently under design."

Newmedica Gloucestershire recently opened a new site at Brighouse Court in Barnwood, to meet increasing demand for NHS and private treatment for life-limiting eye conditions such as cataracts.

Like the Aspen Medical Centre clinic, the new site will provide treatments such as cataract surgery, glaucoma management, oculoplastic surgery, general ophthalmology and YAG, a special laser treatment designed to improve vision after cataract surgery.

Newmedica Gloucestershire works in close partnership with the NHS clinical commissioning groups and health trusts locally.