Somerset's Acute Community Eyecare Service (ACES) came up trumps for 88-year-old June Goddard (left) when her eye became painful and inflamed after cataract surgery.
She was examined by optometrist Sarah Gibson under the NHS scheme and referred to Yeovil District Hospital. 'The ACES service was so quick and reassuring,' said Goddard. 'Your sight is precious and I depend upon my sight to enable me to continue to drive my car.'
Also visiting the practice, from left to right, were former optometrist David Heath MP, Charles Greenwood, chairman of the Somerset Local Optical Committee and Dr Marc Fellows, a GP from the Wincanton Health Centre.
'It seems to me something that is well worth considering in other areas of the country, and I would be more than happy to talk to ministerial colleagues about the potential advantages of what I saw today in Wincanton,' said Heath.
