Chris Bennett: At the coalface in Wales

Blue Monday, billed as the most depressing day of the year, proved to be anything but.

Overnight news of the Essilor Luxottica merger broke while Newport hosted the official opening of the first genuine integration of NHS optometry and ophthalmology in the high street.

The opening of the Austin Friars Eye Treatment Centre is contained within a state of the art Specsavers practice. As patients walk through the door they are all greeted in a similar fashion, some will go on to buy spectacles while others will undergo investigative techniques or receive intravitreal injections for AMD.

The day had the pomp of an official opening by the Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Health but the efforts of those at the coalface was recognised. The nurses, DOs, practice and support staff and patients on hand were all given their due alongside the optoms, ophthalmologists, health board and Specsavers notables.