Contact lens opticians (CLOs) in Wales will now be able to work within the Eye Health Exam Wales (EHEW) scheme, joining colleagues in England already delivering minor eye conditions services (MECS).
The EHEW scheme is part of Wales Eyecare Services (WECS), which enables patients to receive urgent care or monitor patients with certain conditions in optical practices within the community instead of the hospital eye service.
CLO Haylie Pritchard is one of the first to take part in the scheme. She said: “I am delighted to be involved in the EHEW scheme for CLOs in Wales. Having worked alongside optometrists delivering this service for a number of years, I have seen first-hand the positives of being able to provide primary eye health advice in practice.
“Patients can be seen swiftly and feel reassured they are getting expert assistance. I am excited to use the skills I have learnt during this programme to elevate the level of care I can give my patients.”
Sharon Beatty, EHEW clinical co-lead, training and accreditation manager, commented: “I am thrilled that WOPEC has been able to work with ABDO and Optometry Wales to bring such an exciting development to the EHEW service. We are delighted that contact lens opticians are joining the EHEW service and utilising their expertise for the benefit of patients in Wales.”
Dr Nik Sheen, EHEW clinical co-lead, training and accreditation manager, added: “Delivery of the EHEW service now enables EHEW-accredited contact lens opticians to see those patients presenting with an acute anterior eyecare problem. This is great news for Wales and particularly practices that are seeing increasing numbers of these patients so that the skills and expertise of contact lens opticians can be utilised fully.”