NHS-Funded Minor Eye Conditions Clinic Opens
NHS-Funded Minor Eye Conditions Clinic
First for Barry as new NHS-funded minor eye conditions clinic opens.
People with urgent eye problems across the Vale of Glamorgan are now able to receive a free NHS assessment by a local optometrist thanks to a new service based in Barry.
Patients with problems such as eye infections, minor eye injuries or sudden loss of vision will be among those who’ll benefit from the new clinic being run by Vale Eyecare.
Anyone with an acute problem with their eye or vision can be seen at the NHS funded clinic, which is based at Highlight Park Medical Practice on Lakin Drive, behind the Tesco Superstore. The new clinic is part of the Wales Eye Care Service (WECS), a scheme created to relieve the pressure on GPs and A&E departments.
Optometrist Tanya McNabb believes her new clinic is the first of its kind locally, where an optometrist provides only clinical care and doesn’t sell glasses.
She said: ‘Hundreds of GP appointments and A&E visits across the country are taken up every year for eye-related problems that could be assessed by a community optometrist, so I’m delighted to be able to offer this NHS-funded service to local people.’
‘Optometrists have the skills and equipment to ensure that patients are quickly assessed and treated or referred to the hospital if there is a more serious problem. Our clinic is dedicated to providing this service and for convenience has plenty of availability for a same-day assessment. We also have good transport links and a large free car park so we are hopeful that we can help reduce pressure on our local GPs and hospital.’
Patients can self-refer and simply call to book an appointment or can be referred to Vale Eyecare by their GP, pharmacist, health visitor or school nurse.
Other conditions the clinic can help with include painful eyes, foreign bodies in the eye, sudden changes in vision or new onset visual disturbances such as flashes, floaters or double vision.
The service is initially being offered Monday to Friday 9am to 1pm at Highlight Park Medical Practice on Lakin Drive in Barry. To book a free appointment, call 01446 484114