Danny Beales MP has visited Specsavers Uxbridge to see how its experts deliver hearing and eye care in the community – supporting the NHS.
The MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip spoke to the team about the NHS services provided by the locally owned and run store in Uxbridge High Street. Being a member of the cross-party Health and Social Care Committee, healthcare is a key area for the MP.
During the course of his visit, Mr Beales also heard how Specsavers is ready and able to support NHS commissioners deliver improved access to community hearing and eye care.
‘It was a pleasure to learn more about how Specsavers Uxbridge is looking after the local community’s health and supporting the high street, providing valuable jobs in health and retail care.
‘I was also interested to hear how Specsavers can help the NHS deliver more consistent community eye and audiology services. The team explained that such services would bring care closer to home for local people and ease pressures on NHS hospitals.’
‘I was very impressed with the in-store training, development and mentoring including the Specsavers Apprenticeship Programme which provides young people with recognised qualifications and a career.’ says Mr Beales.
Ekta Kumar, retail director at Specsavers Uxbridge says that the visit provided an opportunity to talk to the MP about the role of community opticians and audiologists.
‘We are proud to be part of our community,’ Mrs Kumar says. ‘We also explained how, as health care experts, we are ready and able to support the NHS deliver access to more consistent community eye and hearing health services, including enhanced services in eye care to patients, such as the management of red eyes and dry eyes, flashes and floaters.
‘Specsavers is committed to working with local health commissioners to ensure everyone has access to the community eye and hearing health services they need.’
Audiology director, Ravi Kumar outlined the audiology services offered by Specsavers Uxbridge including ear wax removal and explained how the store supports local GP patient referrals.
Specsavers has more than 1,000 stores throughout the UK and is the leading provider of NHS primary care optometry services – testing more than 20 million eyes every year. It also provides more than 40% of NHS community audiology services in England, supporting more than 200,000 NHS audiology patients a year.
Specsavers Uxbridge is open seven days a week, Monday to Saturday 9am to 7pm and on Sunday 10am to 5.30pm. To book an appointment, visit: https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/uxbridge or call the store on 01895 256010.
