Expansion of enhanced services
Grant Duncan
Specsavers has reported that more than 1.4 million patients received care thorough the provision of enhanced services by its practice teams between April 2024 and the end of March 2025.
“This marked an increase of 152,000 patients receiving community-based eye health support, helping to ease pressure on GPs, hospital eye services and A&E,” said Grant Duncan, Specsavers director of professional development.
“The Westminster government’s recent 10-year plan for the NHS in England called for a switch from hospital to community as a neighbourhood health service is developed. Enhanced eyecare programmes demonstrate how our sector can deliver that ambition.
“Through them, clinicians can undertake additional or repeat tests to understand more about a patient’s eye health, monitor stable conditions – such as glaucoma – in the community, and act as the first port of call for minor and acute eye conditions. These services are offered outside of standard eye examinations.
“Specsavers is continuing to call for an expansion of NHS-funded eyecare services through more consistent commissioning throughout England,” Grant continued, “and our commitment to supporting world-class skills development for clinicians has also continued.
“Qualifications and continuing professional development equip the optical community with critical skills to care for even more patients. With PAC registration now open, and content specifically tailored to dispensing opticians, everyone can join us on this journey of continuing professional development,” added Grant.