Make the most of additional services
Optometrists often share premises with audiologists, but what other businesses work well in tandem with optometry? Steve Smethurst shows how additional services can improve patient experience and make good business sense.
Darren Smith MCOptom is a partner in four Specsavers optometric practices across Herefordshire and south Shropshire. The largest, a city-centre practice in Hereford, contains nine consulting rooms, one of which is dedicated to audiology with a soundproof booth. “We have three smaller practices in rural towns, and the audiology team service those too.”
Audiology has been part of Specsavers’ offering for many years, originally using consulting rooms when they weren’t busy for optics. It’s a set-up common to many high streets. Of 869 UK Specsavers stores, 777 provide audiology, with a mix of full-time audiologists and clinics every day; others operate on fewer days with visiting audiologists. The way joint-venture partnership works at Specsavers is that each store is supported in terms of IT, finance, legal, HR and marketing.
Not already a member of the College?
Start enjoying the benefits of College membership today. Take a look at what the College can offer you and view our membership categories and rates.
Related further reading
The College, The Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) and the Federation of Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians (FODO) back the Government’s commitment to put patients in the driving seat and give them more control and choice over their care.
One thing is certain: I wasn’t expecting the events of the last 10 weeks to take place when I wrote my last Optometry in Practice editorial in February this year.
We are asking the public to make eye health a priority in 2025 and provide top tips for good eye health.
