In focus: Practices champion broad healthy living philosophy

In July, Specsavers and Ultimate Spex in Derby were launched as Healthy Living Optical Practices (HLOPs), and this month, Specsavers in Sutton-in-Ashfield became the first opticians practice in Nottinghamshire to gain its healthy living credentials.

The scheme is the first one of its kind in the East Midlands and was put together by the Local Eye Health Networks with support from NHS England. The scheme was set up so eye care practitioners could offer a range of public health commissioned services, including alcohol screening, weight management and smoking cessation as well as eye examinations and eye care, in the hope that more people would take advantage of the services and engage with the healthy living message.