Richard Haynes came to Bristol Eye Hospital in 2001 as a consultant specialising in vitreo-retinal surgery.
In almost 25 years he has carried out a very large number of successful retinal detachment operations, vitrectomy operations for diabetic retinopathy and sight threatening infections, and macular translocations for age-related macular degeneration.
During this time he has trained a whole generation of vitreo-retinal fellows who are now themselves established as consultants in the UK and across the world. He has also been active in research and published upward of 50 scientific papers.
One of his initiatives in the Bristol Eye Hospital was the setting up of the Eyesi virtual reality simulator for training retinal surgeons – before they are let loose on the public!
On the administrative side, he was a very successful Clinical Director in Ophthalmology at a particularly difficult time for the Trust.
As if this was not enough, he is also a keen cyclist and, with sponsored cycling trips such as to John o’ Groats, raised money for the Friends of Bristol Eye Hospital as well as the Above and Beyond hospital charity.
Richard has also been a key musician in the Bristol Eye Hospital version of the Sex Pistols, playing in many of the hospital’s social and celebratory events.
He is now moving to Truro, partly for family reasons and to augment the retinal surgery service provided by one of his previous fellows.
His calm and methodical approach in the clinics has been and is greatly appreciated by his many patients and he will very much be missed.
We wish him very well. Bristol’s loss is Truro’s gain!