Russell George MS, for Montgomeryshire, recently visited Specsavers in Newtown to see first-hand how the expert team is caring for patients and supporting the healthcare system.

During his visit, Mr George had the opportunity to chat with the staff at Specsavers Newtown and learn about the range of NHS services they provide.

As the leading provider of NHS primary care optometry services and NHS community audiology services, Specsavers is committed to delivering high-quality care to its patients.

Speaking about his visit, Mr George highlighted the importance of local businesses like Specsavers in providing essential healthcare services to the community. He praised the dedicated team at Specsavers Newtown for their commitment to supporting the NHS and emphasised the need for the Welsh Government to consider expanding this model of care to improve access to services and alleviate pressure on the healthcare system. He 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"

"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, director of the Newtown store, reiterated the store's commitment to providing exceptional eye health and hearing care services to the local community.

The team at Specsavers Newtown takes pride in supporting local organizations and aims to make a positive impact on the lives of their patients by improving access to essential care. Specsavers Newtown is open six days a week and offers a range of services to meet the needs of the community.

Patients can book appointments online or by calling the store directly. For those who are unable to visit the store in person, Specsavers also offers a Home Visits service covering a large portion of the UK.