Russell George MS visited Specsavers in Newtown to see how expert local opticians and audiologists are caring for patients and supporting the NHS – and are ready to do more.
Specsavers has more than 1,000 stores throughout the UK and is the leading provider of NHS primary care optometry services and NHS community audiology services where they are commissioned.
Mr George, MS for Montgomeryshire, chatted to the team at Specsavers Newtown, on Broad Street, about how they are delivering NHS services and providing vital access to eye and ear care. As a locally owned and run business, Mr George also heard about how Specsavers Newtown supports community organisations and provides a range of career opportunities for local people.
He is now urging the Welsh government to consider how this model of care can further improve access to services, take pressure off the NHS and save the NHS money.
Commenting after the visit, Mr George said:
‘It was fantastic to meet the team at Specsavers Newtown, hearing about how experts are providing care on our high street. Supporting the NHS, they are helping look after the health of my constituents,’ says Mr George.
‘It was also fascinating to hear about the training required for all members of the team, and how community opticians and audiologists have the skills to play an even bigger part in delivering critical services in the community.
‘That is by commissioning existing providers of community optometry services to provide NHS audiology services using the existing primary care optometry model in Wales, which reduces the burden on GPs and the NHS in Wales.’
Optician David Dunlop, who is director of the store, said:
‘We are locally owned and run, and proud to be at the heart of our community providing exceptional eye health and hearing care as well as supporting local organisations. We also spoke about Specsavers’ mission to change lives through better sight and hearing, and our ambition to further improve access to care for all.’
Specsavers Newtown is open six days a week, 9am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday and 9am until 5pm on Saturdays. To book an appointment, visit: www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/newtown or call the store on 01686 610600e. For those that can’t leave their homes unaccompanied due to disability or illness, Specsavers also offers a Home Visits service covering more than 90% of the UK – with more details available at www.specsavers.co.uk/home-eye-tests.
