THE newly expanded Specsavers Irvine store is now qualified to offer a full time independent prescription service, helping to reduce pressures on local GP services. 

The Rivergate store has announced that team members Glenn Dickson and Rachel McNaughton are now fully qualified independent prescribers, allowing them to write prescriptions for customers with conditions which can make eyes sore, red or dry feeling such as allergies, infections or recurring issues.

This qualification allows the store to now manage more complex eye conditions without needing to refer as many patients as possible to hospital.

Glenn and Rachel can issue customers with NHS prescriptions for the medications they need to manage any eye ailments, and the customers can then take this straight to a pharmacy to be dispensed, without having to visit their GP.

The service will work on a triage basis, meaning patients will be assessed to determine the urgency of their need for treatment.

Both Glenn and Rachel have completed the Diploma in Ocular Therapeutics at Glasgow Caledonian University.

They then also undertook a 24-session placement at Ayr Hospital, as well as passing the College of Optometrists Common Final Exam, to gain all the necessary skills and experience to provide this vital service to the people of Irvine.

Glenn said: "I am absolutely thrilled that we can offer such a valuable service to the community.

"Our store is in a unique position to help meet the needs of people with eye conditions without them having to visit their GP or the hospital eye department.

"It will primarily save people time. Customers won’t need to find other routes to access the specialist care, and we can address the underlying issues as quickly as possible.

"We would like to thank the colleagues at ophthalmology in Ayr Hospital who have supported us with our course, as well as our pharmacy and GP colleagues who we work in tandem with to care for the community each day. We’d also love to thank the amazing team at Specsavers Irvine for supporting us through this new venture."

The Irvine store now has four IP qualified optometrists now, with two more starting the course in October and a further two due to sit the final exam this November. 

To book an appointment, visit https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/irvine or call 01294 313 353.