Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Routine eye exams back in business at Specsavers
IAN BUNTING
Specsavers stores in Monklands are now providing routine eye exams following approval from the Scottish Government Primary Care Directorate.
Optometrists at the Airdrie and Coatbridge shops were restricted to providing only emergency and essential care during Covid- 19 restrictions.
The full breadth of optical and audiology services, including routine eye and hearing tests, contact lens consultations, frame repairs and the sale of glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids and other products, are now available.
Specsavers’ home visits teams will be also be able to restart services within the next fortnight – and provide eyecare and hearing services at home for people who wouldn’t be able to visit a store without assistance.
Susanne Akil, Specsavers’ Scottish chair, said: “With lockdown measures easing, we’ve now extended our services in line with the latest Scottish Government guidelines.
“This means that, for the first time since lockdown, customers are able to book routine eye and hearing tests.
“To help manage physical distancing and ensure that services are provided safely, visits to store will be by appointment only.
“Customers can book an appointment in advance by phone or via www.specsavers.co.uk.
“Stores may contact customers before they visit to ensure a safe and efficient service when they arrive.
‘ We would encourage anyone visiting the store to browse online for glasses before they come in, minimising their time in store, and we ask that customers wear face masks for the duration of their visit.”
New hygiene and personal protection measures include restrictions on the number of customers allowed in store at any one time, strict physical distancing rules and, where possible, contactless or card instead of cash payments.
In line with NHS guidance, Specsavers staff will use full personal protective equipment (PPE) and all testing equipment, hard surfaces and spectacle frames will be thoroughly sanitised after each use.
Susanne added: “The Covid-19 pandemic has presented an unprecedented challenge in the management of eye and hearing care.
“Throughout lockdown, we remained open to offer customers emergency and essential care.
“However, being unable to perform routine eye tests has meant that many people could be living with serious conditions which could have been identified if we had been able to see them.
“We would ask customers to be patient with us as we welcome them back. The guidelines are designed to keep customers and colleagues safe and will mean fewer people are allowed in stores, and maintaining high levels of cleanliness may mean some examinations take a little longer.
“But we want to encourage anyone with needs or symptoms who has missed their usual sight or hearing test during lockdown to book an appointment as soon as possible, so our teams can return to providing the highest levels of care throughout Scotland.
“There are already waiting lists of customers who requested routine appointments during lockdown and could not be seen, and these customers will be booked in as a priority.”