Specsavers expands Healthcall

Specsavers has announced plans to expand its domiciliary arm, Healthcall, into the Republic of Ireland, having successfully rolled out the business in other parts of the UK.

Launched in 2013, Specsavers Healthcall follows the same joint venture partnership business model as its stores, with partners buying into specific territories. Roll out in the UK was completed with the establishment of two domiciliary partnerships in Northern Ireland. While optometrist Alan Myers and customer service partner Nichola Martin will cover Ballymena, Omagh, Eniskillen and Derry, optometrist Matthew Brennan will work with customer service partner, James McAlinden, to serve Belfast and Newry.

As a domiciliary business, Specsavers Healthcall aims to offer its customers the same services that would be available to them in practice. This includes the multiple’s new dispensing measurements service Digital Precision Care, which is run through a tablet device. Staff also stock around 200 frames, with the mobile team typically consisting of an optometrist and customer services director, as well as an office-based schedule.

Speaking about the expansion, director of operations for Specsavers Healthcall, Maurice Livesey said: “Specsavers is proud to have UK-wide coverage three years after moving into the domiciliary eye care sector with the acquisition of Healthcall. Being able to serve all of Northern Ireland’s housebound customers’ eye care needs is a major milestone. With plans to expand in the Republic of Ireland too, we’re continuing our quest to be the most trusted and biggest provider of domiciliary services in the UK and Ireland.”

Specsavers Healthcall currently comprises 48 domiciliary joint venture partnership businesses covering England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, with 120,000 patients seen annually.