Government vision for healthier high streets welcomed

A new government report recognising the importance of accessible health care to support healthy high streets is being welcomed by Specsavers.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government’s ‘Hope on the High Street’ policy paper says that ‘this Government wants high streets to play a greater role in creating healthier, more connected and economically resilient communities’. It notes that high streets have long been home to services such as opticians, pharmacies and dentists.

The document also says: ‘Healthy high streets support healthy lives. Well-designed town centres can promote social connection, access to services, employment, healthy living and opportunities for physical activity, helping to improve wellbeing and reduce health inequalities.’

Welcoming the report, Specsavers director of optometry Sarah Joyce says that Specsavers local eye and hearing health experts are playing a vital role in both the health of local communities and the high street.

‘I’m very proud about how Specsavers’ optometry, audiology, dispensing and wider teams care deeply for their high streets and local communities. From providing accessible healthcare, easing pressure on hospitals, to providing valuable and purposeful jobs, our practices are high street anchors supporting footfall,’ she says.

Ms Joyce says that community eye and hearing experts can help meet the government’s ambition for high streets to play an even greater role in creating healthier, connected and economically resilient communities.

‘There is a huge opportunity to do this by making greater use of primary care services to improve access to healthcare on the high street and into people’s homes through domiciliary eye and hearing care. Our experts have the skills, capacity and care to deliver this worthy ambition.

‘Expanding NHS community glaucoma and audiology services, delivered by high street optometrists and audiologists, is a good example of this. We can act quickly to deliver improved access to healthcare and give more reasons for people to visit the high street.’

She adds: ‘As experts who care, we will continue to engage with government to explore how together we can progress the agenda of healthy communities and healthy high streets.’