The availability of eye health checks and enhanced eye care services in Pembrokeshire was the topic of conversation for local MP Stephen Crabb during his recent visit to the Specsavers branch in Haverfordwest.

In a meeting with Andy Britton, Specialist Optometrist and Director and his team at the store in Bridge Street, Stephen was able to understand more about local eye care needs and the vital enhanced eye care Specsavers are delivering which is reducing the burden on local NHS services.

Stephen was impressed by the number of patients that are being seen on an urgent basis, the level of assessments and diagnoses which are being made to help residents manage all aspects of their eye conditions.

The consistency of care available through the high street is proving to be a vital component of the future of ophthalmology services in Wales, and across the UK.

Stephen Crabb MP said:

“With so many people writing to me about their experiences of waiting lists for treatments such as cataracts, macular degeneration and glaucoma, it was a really useful insight into local ophthalmology services and how some of these conditions can be monitored and managed by the expertise from specialists on the high street.

“The busy store also operates a hearing centre and there are more plans for expansion both in staff numbers and a bigger premises.”

 Andy Britton added:

“It was great to be able to highlight the work done by community optometry in support of the NHS and the wider population.  Wales has been fortunate that it has embraced the skills of optometrists in managing a wide range of acute and chronic eye conditions.

“Specsavers Haverfordwest has been able to use its locally owned joint venture structure to upskill its teams to deliver eyecare at the highest level and aspires to be a blueprint for delivering this care in a true partnership with the NHS across Wales and hopes to be seen as a model for services that could be delivered in patients optometry practices across the rest of the UK."