NEWPORT East MP, Jessica Morden, has seen first-hand how community experts are delivering vital eye health services supporting patients and the NHS.
During a visit to Specsavers Newport, she spoke to the team about how they provide NHS services as part of Wales’s national eye care contract. These include NHS sight testing, urgent and emergency appointments as well as services for glaucoma and macular disease.
‘It was a pleasure to meet the expert team at Specsavers Newport and learn more about how they provide access to eye health services in our community while supporting the NHS,’ says Jessica.
‘We also spoke about how the store supports the Newport economy, through careers in health care and retailing, alongside a range of other local subjects.’
Craig MacKenzie, optometry director at Specsavers Newport, welcomed the opportunity to host Jessica at the store. He says: ‘Serving our community is at the heart of everything that we do. The visit was an opportunity to talk to Jessica about how we do that through enhanced NHS eye health services and excellent patient care,’ he explains.
‘These services are good for patients, bringing care closer to home for them. It also takes pressure off GPs and NHS hospitals.’
Jessica heard about how Newport Specsavers was an early adopter in the UK of working more closely with ophthalmology to provide initial screening of people with symptoms of age-related macular degeneration. Under the scheme, NHS staff then deliver treatment from the same high street location.
Reflecting on the role of community services Mr MacKenzie also highlighted recent academic research showing that enhanced eye care services delivered in optometry practices significantly reduce waiting times and improve access.
‘The study, published in Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics[i], research illustrated “substantial benefits” of enhanced optometry services in community practices handling conditions such as age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma,’ he says.
Specsavers Newport, which recently won the UK and Ireland Optician award for Multiple Practice of the Year, is open seven days a week. To book an appointment, visit the Specsavers Newport website or call the store on 01633 244023 for eye health specialists and audiology care.
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 by clicking here.
