An optometrist in Porthcawl completed a postgraduate course in independent prescribing with Cardiff University’s school of optometry and vision sciences during lockdown last year.
Claire Edwards, store director at Specsavers, achieved the qualification and her optometrist colleague Megan Cosgrove also completed a professional certificate in medical retina in order to widen services at the practice.
Edwards said: ‘The restrictions posed by Covid-19 have put so much pressure on the NHS that it has been devastating to see. I have always been passionate about the role optometry plays in healthcare and saw these unprecedented times as an opportunity to upskill and add further value to my customers.’
She added that upskilling at the practice enabled staff to better treat and manage patients and their conditions, while easing pressure on GPs and hospital eye departments.