New £7.7 million centre to offer best in eyecare teaching and practice

The University is expanding its Centre for Eyecare Excellence

Dr Sally Abey, Professor Richard Davies and Professor Bob Fern outside Hepworth House, set to become the new Centre for Eyecare Excellence (CEE)

The University of Plymouth is launching a new state-of-the-art facility to increase its outstanding delivery of optometry teaching and patient care.

The new Centre for Eyecare Excellence (CEE) will offer more appointments to the public, delivered by students under supervision, alongside specialist clinics.

29 January 2025

Appointments, clinics and teaching are currently delivered at the existing CEE on Gibbon Street, with additional provision at the Wellbeing Centre on Endsleigh Place. The University is outgrowing the spaces due to an increased demand to study Optometry at Plymouth.

The new facility on the University’s city centre campus will offer a student experience at the forefront of healthcare delivery and be spacious and accessible for visitors attending appointments.

Hepworth House, in North Road East close to the railway station, will be transformed by a £7.7 million enhancement due to open in September 2026.

We are so proud to be leading this fantastic new facility for the city, combining outstanding teaching with hands-on experience making a positive impact on people’s lives.

Our current Centre for Eyecare Excellence already welcomes hundreds of people each year and makes a great difference to our students, staff and the people of Plymouth. Now, with more people wanting to study Optometry with us, this new development will enable us to make even more of an impact within our community.

Professor Richard Davies
Vice-Chancellor

Eyecare appointments will continue as normal at the existing CEE on Gibbon Street, with some specialist clinics at the Wellbeing Centre, while the new development takes shape.

To find out more about the clinics offered – and how to book a free eye test – visit the Centre for Eyecare Excellence (CEE) .

As part of its expansion in Optometry student numbers, the University is also working with Specsavers to deliver degree apprenticeships and continuing professional development (CPD) courses.

The new building and variety of study options mean that we’re not just enabling people to embark on a career, but supporting them as they continue to progress within their field.

We offer the widest range of healthcare courses in the South West, with exceptional clinical and academic learning, social engagement and research at all career stages. In addition to our InterCity Place development, which opened as the home of our School of Health Professions in 2023, this building shows our commitment to supporting and growing the healthcare workforce of the future.

Professor Robert Fern
Executive Dean

Optometry offers a great career, with fantastic employability and continuous opportunities to progress.

To have the expansion in course numbers shows the excellent student experience here, and with our foundation programme providing another route into the profession, there are even more ways for people to realise their world of opportunity here at Plymouth.

Dr Sally Abey
Head of School of Health Professions

Supporting our community

In another announcement shared today, the University shared that its students and graduates will soon be treating patients in a new city centre emergency dental clinic.

Subject to planning permission, the former First Stop Shop in New George Street will become a facility for aspiring dentists and dental therapists to treat patients in urgent need of dental care, thanks to University subsidiary, Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise (PDSE).

Find out more about the new Peninsula Dental Education Practice

Supporting our community

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