THIS year’s finalists in the West Wales Health & Care Awards are all going to have their eyes on the prize when the ceremony takes place next month.
And if their optics aren’t quite up to scratch then GP Practice of the Year award sponsors Specsavers Haverfordwest won’t be too far away to help sort out their sight.
It is the fifth time that the Bridge Street opticians have backed the top surgery prize, won in 2021 by Neyland Health Centre and Johnston Surgery.
“Specsavers Haverfordwest is delighted to sponsor the GP Practice of the Year award at this year’s West Wales Health & Care Awards,” said a spokesperson.
“We work closely with all the GP practices in our area – updating them with referral details and providing any emergency appointments that they need.
“We have sponsored this award for five years, as we understand just how vital the work is that GP practices do.
“That is exactly why we continue to upskill our staff to help take some of the pressure off the NHS. “For example, all our optometrists are WECS-accredited, meaning they can help customers with an acute eye problem and refer them directly to the hospital eye service.
“We also have two staff members – and another two in training - who have an independent prescribing qualification, which helps reduce the number of GP referrals.
“Meanwhile, Paul Skoczek, one of our store directors, is a specially-trained low vision service Wales practitioner, which means he can provide help to those suffering from certain eye conditions, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or cataracts.
“Business partner Andy Britton has a higher certificate in glaucoma, meaning he can manage ocular hypertension and glaucoma suspect customers to keep them out of hospital.
“We wish all the practices involved the best of luck at the ceremony.”
Haverfordwest’s Winch Lane Surgery, Preseli Practice’s Newport Surgery and Barlow House Surgery in Milford Haven will be hoping to take home the Specsavers-sponsored accolade this time.
The awards, sponsored by Werndale Hospital, part of Circle Health Group, are set to take place at Pembrokeshire County Showground on Thursday, September 15.
For more information about the services Specsavers Haverfordwest provide, or to book an appointment, visit specsavers.co.uk/stores/Haverfordwest.
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