EditorLocal MS visits award-winning Gower Opticians in Penclawdd
Mr Giffard met with a representative from Optometry Wales and staff from Gower Opticians in their practice, to discuss everything from raising awareness around the importance of eye tests for children, to optometry contract reform’s positive impacts on optometrists’ ability to undertake urgent eyecare within the practice, as opposed to another visit to your GP or A&E.
Whilst digitisation is an issue raised consistently across health services in Wales and the practice expressed how revolutionising it would be for them, with paperwork currently having to be shipped off to Cardiff on a weekly basis; Tom has pledged to continue to push for digitalisation across health services in the Welsh Parliament, whilst also praising Gower Opticians for their fantastic work and growth, for the benefit of local people.
Commenting on the visit, Tom said:
“It was great to meet with the team at Gower Opticians recently; their continued work and expansion doesn’t go unnoticed. The plethora of awards along the walls says it all!
“The team have been working towards extra qualifications, so the practice now has a prescribing optician – who works closely with the local pharmacy across the road. Their efforts are not only working to bring down optometry waiting lists but are also alleviating pressure on GP practices and A&E departments – as they can also now also carry out urgent eyecare services.
“I will continue to push for digitalisation across our health services in Wales within the Welsh Parliament, but in the meantime, we will continue to work together to raise awareness over young people receiving regular eye tests and the new urgent eyecare set-up to get local patients seen faster and to help alleviate waiting lists.
“But in the meantime, if you have any eyecare concerns or problems at all, it’s always worth speaking to your local optician first, as they are usually best placed to help!”
Also commenting, award-winning Optometrist at Gower Opticians, Laura Davies, said:
“It was great to welcome Tom to Gower Opticians to promote the wide range of services that optometrists can provide in Wales.
“We are so privileged to be delivering high levels of eyecare in the community for our patients”.
