20 July 2019
The Healthy Living Optical Practice scheme has been adopted by two opticians in Derby with another set to open in Sutton-in-Ashfield in August.
The scheme, which was established by the Local Eye Health Network with NHS England, is designed to encourage patients to consider their wider health when visiting an optical practice.
Practice staff at Specsavers and Ultimate Spex in Derby have undertaken training to help promote healthy living and wellbeing to patients who want to make a lifestyle change.
The practices have each created a health promotion zone in store, which highlights local and national projects to support prevention of illness and early detection.
Senior optometrist at Ultimate Spex, Waaiz Nazir, said: “All the staff at Ultimate Spex are extremely keen and optimistic for this exciting initiative. We hope to go above and beyond for our patients, and as a start we are looking forward to implementing all the policies of the Healthy Living Optical Practice for the welfare of our patients and the local community.”
Speaking about the future of the scheme, chair of the Local Eye Health Network, David Cartwright, explained that the network hopes to extend the scheme to include services such as measuring blood pressure, diabetes checks and smoking cessation courses.
“This will extend the advice given to members of the public and encourage the improve their health and wellbeing. Ultimately, the optical practices become accessible healthy living hubs for all the community to use,” he said.
Pictured is Mr Cartwright with staff from Derby Specsavers
The scheme, which was established by the Local Eye Health Network with NHS England, is designed to encourage patients to consider their wider health when visiting an optical practice.
Practice staff at Specsavers and Ultimate Spex in Derby have undertaken training to help promote healthy living and wellbeing to patients who want to make a lifestyle change.
The practices have each created a health promotion zone in store, which highlights local and national projects to support prevention of illness and early detection.
Senior optometrist at Ultimate Spex, Waaiz Nazir, said: “All the staff at Ultimate Spex are extremely keen and optimistic for this exciting initiative. We hope to go above and beyond for our patients, and as a start we are looking forward to implementing all the policies of the Healthy Living Optical Practice for the welfare of our patients and the local community.”
Speaking about the future of the scheme, chair of the Local Eye Health Network, David Cartwright, explained that the network hopes to extend the scheme to include services such as measuring blood pressure, diabetes checks and smoking cessation courses.
“This will extend the advice given to members of the public and encourage the improve their health and wellbeing. Ultimately, the optical practices become accessible healthy living hubs for all the community to use,” he said.
Pictured is Mr Cartwright with staff from Derby Specsavers
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