Some of the most vulnerable patient groups in catchment areas do not access the accessible healthcare services available within their communities that could improve quality of life. Bringing these patient groups into a local practice was an issue addressed by the team at St Peter’s.
The director, who was also shortlisted in the Optometrist of the Year category, initiated a domiciliary service for the homeless population in partnership with the NHS Trust. The proposal resulted in the practice becoming part of an alliance of local healthcare professionals, which included locally based GPs, dentists, and nurses. This healthcare for homeless network’s effectiveness caught the attention of the city’s media outlets and drew praise from the local authorities.
In the years since the network was established, the practice has continued to provide regular eye care clinics to homeless patients at the practice premises. As a result of recommendation from the work with the NHS on homeless patients the practice set up clinics for GP referral patients with mental disabilities and learning difficulties.
The business has expanded to four eye care premises in Leicestershire since its start up in 2006 as a general practice and domiciliary service for elderly patients. Last year the Eye Clinics partnered with the NHS Community Wellness Team and the Leicester City Council to visit 19 primary and secondary schools. It offered a voluntary screening service to raise awareness for eye care which can help academic future and social confidence.
The culmination of services that the business offered last year brought a range of patient groups into a community based eye care service through collaboration with the local healthcare authorities. This won the approval of the Awards judging committee.
Awards judges commented: ‘St Peter’s provided evidence of its achievements last year in delivering eye care to groups of patients within its catchment area of Leicester City who were not accessing eye appointments. The optical profession’s role as a primary care provider was upheld by the service and initiative of the business.’
With the Optician trophy safely back at the St Peter’s flagship branch, Jussab says: ‘Winning the award in front of colleagues and optical companies felt like making history. The Awards night experience was like winning an Oscar but in the field of optometry. We were up against a very competitive shortlist. There was a feeling of being one in a category where all the nominated finalists are making an impact on local healthcare, delivered through unique approaches to optometry. The category for Community Eye Service is the title that we feel celebrates precisely what the optometry profession is about: helping the communities from all walks of life with their eye care.’
While St Peter’s has become a referral point for eye health reports for vulnerable local NHS patients, according to Jussab, this direction the practice found started as an answer to the need to differentiate services as an independent operating in a competitive market. Since the award the Eye Clinics has seen this niche approach to optometry bring them further opportunities.
The business has been approached by other city societies and care organisations for community projects. This will enable plans to add a further two branches to the group of four premises to extend its community patient reach. The group’s achievement in collaborations last year showed that a small private eye care business can have a great impact on society.
‘The public respond by perceiving optometry not just as a business but a profession caring for eyes. The award has boosted confidence in our group’s approach to enhancing eye care service provision in our area.
‘The winner’s laurel always gives the company a talking point about what makes us different as an eye care provider. We are now excited to widen our service sector further and hope to inspire other fellow colleagues to follow suit,’ says Jussab of the winning Eye Clinics.
Community eye service award
Winner: The Eye Clinics, Leicester
Shortlisted: A1 Opticians
Anstee & Proctor
Querido & Davidson
Simon Berry Optometrist
Specsavers, Burnham on Sea