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How long has the practice been established?
Forty years.Number of staff and their main roles. We have five optometrists (three of whom are full-time), one optometry placement student, three dispensing opticians, one trainee dispensing optician in their second year, one contact lens optician, three administrative members of staff, four clinical assistants, one optical assistant, two receptionists, and two sales staff.
What typifies the sort of patients you see? Those who seek quality time with any or all staff for any or all professional services.
What percentage of your patients wear contact lenses? Fifteen per cent but 15 per cent are low vision too.
Describe your favourite type of patient and explain why. Someone who appreciates the efforts we go to.
What is the estimated size of your patient base? On our database we have 30,000, of whom 18,000 are active, and 8,000 of whom are dormant. We have 7,000 annual visits to our practice.
What would you say was the most successful area of your business? Clinical diagnosis and second opinion, high performance dispensing and contact lens problem solving.
How many days a week are you open? We work five and a half days and for emergencies.
Describe one area of service that you would like to highlight. Low vision, it is neglected at all levels including examination, advocacy, referral, devices, counselling and training. We think its great fun and it's rewarding both personally and commercially.
What instrumentation or equipment are you proud of? That's easy, the Topcon 3D-OCT. We were the first UK practice to use it and it's now a vital part of our clinical armoury.
How often do you change your window display? Every two months.
What is the average eye examination time? Our private examinations take 40 minutes, while our NHS tests take 20 minutes, or 40 minutes with the extended option.
How many other practices are there within a one-mile radius of you? There are six other practices nearby.
Best dispense in the last year. £2,200 BiOptic low vision telescope.
Trial frame or phoropter head? As a personal choice we have trial frames (including specialist kids), manual and automated phoropter.
Name three things in your waiting room. We prefer it to call it a reception area, why imply people wait? We have a three-screen i-Vue, an Optician Award or two, and a floating fairy (an accessible human being to meet and greet patients).
Mention one surprising fact about your practice. We are proud that we have the most expensive eye examination locally.
Mention one top tip you have found has benefited your practice, either clinical or business/commercial? Confirmation appointments and texts the day before reduced appointment attrition loss to less than 0.5 per cent.
Why should your practice feature in Practice of the Week? We think clinical and commercial success is built on our people, we love any excuse to recognise the work that they do. ?