HAVERFORDWEST will soon be home to Wales’s largest Specsavers practice

Welsh landmark practice’s key role in continuing professional development for optometrists

HAVERFORDWEST will soon be home to Wales’s largest Specsavers practice following a £1.2 million relocation to larger premises – and play a crucial role in optometric education in Wales.

The new state-of-the-art store, located in the Riverside Shopping Centre, will offer cutting-edge facilities and enhanced services with the grand reopening on 16 December attracting local dignitaries.

Equipped with 14 test rooms, including two dedicated audiology suites, the practice will serve as a training hub for optometrists pursuing higher qualifications., including supporting advanced qualifications in Glaucoma and Independent Prescribing (IP) for optometrists via Health Education and Improvement Wales supported clinical placements.

Along with traditional pre-reg placements, the new CLiP placements (clinical learning in practice) will also provide hands-on opportunities for optometrists to gain essential clinical experience at the practice.

Andy Britton, the optometry director at Specsavers Haverfordwest, with his specialist qualifications, will oversee IP placements and higher qualifications in glaucoma.

‘This substantial investment reflects our commitment to delivering world-class eye and hearing care to Pembrokeshire,’ says Mr Britton. ‘Our larger premises will allow us to meet growing demand, introduce advanced clinical services, and provide a dedicated training facility for optometrists pursuing higher qualifications.’

The focus on professional development of optometrists will also support the NHS, which locally has a limited number of advanced clinical placements available due to current high demand and limited clinical capacity.

Colleague Wayne Jones, who is an optometrist and the practice’s retail director, will be one of the first IP students. ‘I’m looking forward to gaining this qualification and welcoming more optometrists to our learning hub in the years ahead,’ he says.

‘Ultimately, our focus is on improving access to eye care for the local community and county as well as working with and easing the burden on NHS ophthalmologists through the delivery of health care closer to home which has been a key goal of the NHS in Wales.’

The grand reopening event on 16 December will feature live entertainment and notable attendees, including local mayors and other dignitaries. The event will celebrate Specsavers’ community-focused ethos, with a series of fundraising and awareness initiatives planned for 2025.

Deputy Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, Cllr Paul Miller, praised the move: ‘Specsavers’ significant investment is a strong vote of confidence in the future of Haverfordwest. The new practice will be a cornerstone of our town’s ongoing regeneration, drawing businesses and visitors alike.’

The new Specsavers Haverfordwest practice will be open seven days a week, offering flexible appointment times to cater to the community’s needs.