The White Horse Optical Practice

18/03/2022

We're recruiting

Optical Advisor

Would you like to join our small, but dedicated team at the best opticians in town?
We now have a vacancy for an efficient and friendly member of staff looking to work with market leading brands.
We are a company with a clear emphasis on quality of service to our patients

In the first instance the position is full time and includes Saturdays although part time for experienced candidates may be considered.

Previous optical sales experience is preferable but not essential for this position

Please send a CV and covering letter to
Dr D.Leighton
The White Horse Optical Practice
7 Brunel Plaza
Swindon
SN1 1LF
Fb@whitehorseoptical.co.uk

04/02/2021

As part of the NHS Primary Care SW team we are happy to report that all our staff have now received their first COVID 19 vaccination.

This is part of the drive to ensure all primary healthcare clinics are as safe as possible for the staff and all the visiting patients . We will continue to use all the appropriate PPE and our appointments remain spaced at hourly intervals to allow for thorough cleansing of the consulting room, spectacle frames and equipment between patients.

Lots of people are working in a completely different environment to usual and we are finding that this can cause new problems and discomfort that your existing spectacles may not be best placed to correct. Also, whilst we will still suggest that purely routine examinations are delayed during lockdown we would strongly encourage anyone with any concerns about their eyecare or any discomfort with their current spectacles to make an appointment.

Eye Health UK have found that large numbers of patients have, perhaps understandably, delayed or cancelled appointments during this time but please don't put yourself or your eye health at risk if you feel there are any issues. The same charity suggest that prompt diagnosis and treatment is the best defence in controlling eye disease and preventing avoidable sight loss.

We are open and offering examinations during normal hours so if you feel you have any concerns regarding your comfort of vision or spectacles please contact us on 01793 432751 or email swindon@whitehorseoptical.co.uk.

07/01/2021

Lockdown 3
As in November I'm pleased to say there will be no change to the services we are allowed to provide to everyone over the coming weeks.

It is vital that health services remain accessible to all in this difficult time so we encourage anyone who has any problems with their vision or spectacles /contact lenses to book an appointment.
We are still limiting the number of appointments each day to allow for thorough disinfection of the consulting room and dispensing areas between patients. We have a limit of two households allowed in the practice at any one time (two people per household) for social distancing, so you will need to book an appointment for most things. If you have any queries please contact us and we will do our best to answer them for you.
You can reach us on 01793 432751 or swindon@whitehorseoptical.co.uk

As we have over since June we will all be wearing full ppe and we will ask you to wear a mask.
Deliveries can be arranged for those who have been advised to shield.

On behalf of all the staff I hope everyone can stay safe and we will look forward to seeing you in the coming months.

David Leighton

06/01/2021

Lockdown 3
Once again there will be no change to the services we are allowed to provide to everyone over the coming weeks. The practice will be staffed as normal and eye examinations are available.
It is vital that health services remain available to all in this difficult time so we encourage anyone who has any problems with their vision or spectacles /contact lenses to book an appointment.
We remain committed to keeping everyone safe so we will continue to limit the number of appointments each day to allow for thorough disinfection of the consulting room and dispensing areas between patients.
The practice capacity, for social distancing, remains at 2 households (max 2 per household) at any one time so appointments are required for the vast majority of things. If you have any concerns please get in touch and we'll be happy to answer any questions.
You can reach us on 01793 432751 or swindon@whitehorseoptical.co.uk
As we have over the last five months we will all be wearing full ppe and we will ask you to wear a mask.

On behalf of us all, please take care and if we can help, we will.
David Leighton

03/11/2020

As we approach Lockdown 2 I'm pleased to say there will be no change to the services we are allowed to provide to everyone over the next four weeks

It is vital that health services remain available to all in this difficult time so we encourage anyone who has any problems with their vision or spectacles /contact lenses to book an appointment. We are very busy as we have to limit the number of appointments each day to allow for thorough disinfection of the consulting room and dispensing areas between patients. We are also limiting the number of people allowed in the practice at any one time, for social distancing, so you will need to book an appointment for most things.

You can reach us on 01793 432751 or swindon@whitehorseoptical.co.uk

As we have over the last five months we will all be wearing full ppe and we will ask you to wear a mask.

We've had some great new frames in from some big suppliers and we are really looking forward to seeing you all.

01/07/2020

Just to update, we're now offering all our usual services with usual opening hours.
Please call or email for an appointment.
We've opened the doors but have a limit of 2 people or 2 couples at any one time.
You’ll find the process a little different to before; we will all be wearing PPE and you will be asked to wear a mask. All surfaces and the consulting room are cleaned between patients and frames are disinfected before returning to display. You will be contacted the day before with a brief health questionnaire.
But we will provide our usual level of service and do our utmost to make sure your visit is as relaxed and productive as usual. If you have any queries please get in touch and we’ll be happy to answer them.

09/06/2020

We're back, well nearly..

As from Mon 15th June we will all be back in the practice.

We are allowed to see a much greater range of patients now, based on the OFNCs decision to extend the groups that will fall into "essential eyecare".

https://www.aop.org.uk/our-voice/media-centre/press-releases/2020/05/27/ofnc-statement-meeting-essential-eye-care-needs-during-the-pandemic

We are now very happy to see:

"Patients with a minor reduction in vision, and patients with broken spectacles that have been “making do” with older spectacles with an out-of-date prescription."

For those back at work this can make a big difference as you won't have to put up with headaches and blurred vision. Also if you have been doing just that "making do" for a couple of months we can now see you and fix the problems.

We can't see patients for routine examinations. If you are seen regularly ,after a set time period, but are having no symptoms then you'll have to wait a little bit longer. As soon as we are allowed to see this extended group of patients we will let you know.

Please call or email to make an appointment.

Please be assured we are taking all the precautions we need to keep you and us safe. All staff will be wearing PPE, the surfaces and frames will all be cleaned and disinfected.

You'll be asked to wear a face covering please and also to answer a brief health questionaire.

We will only be operating hourly appointments to make sure that we are ready to receive you and we will maintain a locked door policy for the time being.

Please call or email first before attending as we may not be able to answer the door immediately if we are busy. But at least you won't be out in the rain!

You will also need an appointment to collect your new spectacles so we will discuss this when we advise you they are ready.

Contact lens collections can still be done "at the door".

Rest assured the service and advice you have come to expect won't change and we'll make sure our frames are still the best you can find.

So it's back to work but not the normal that we knew. We're looking forward to seeing you all again.

Statement from the OFNC on essential eye care

26/04/2020

I'm going to post this in the hope that you will all read it and hopefully feel you might be able to help.

It's owned and run by someone I've known for more years than either of us care to acknowledge and they do remarkable and ground breaking research. Added to that the team there contribute to our coastal ecology and help keep our waters and beaches clean for us all to enjoy.

In these difficult times there are huge numbers of very worthy causes asking for our help but please consider that if you have enjoyed a holiday on our beautiful coast it is places like this that help keep it the way that we remember.

Take care and stay safe.

David Leighton

https://www.facebook.com/ASZMRC/
Anglesey Sea Zoo

Hi there,

I am hoping to raise awareness and support for the Anglesey Sea Zoo Emergency fundraising campaign. It's a tough time for me and my staff to keep going at the moment.

Although the business has closed to visitors, our ongoing environmental and conservation work can't just stop so our environmental hub work for community beach cleans and marine animal rescue and our breeding and conservation programmes for endangered species such as British seahorses and spiny lobsters continues, as it does when we are closed to visitors every winter.

But we have very high running costs all year round with out life support systems running 24/7 and this is the most expensive time of the year to keep our pumps and systems running as the sea temperature rise in April means we need to switch our chillers on, which increase our energy consumption by 25% and all our amazing animals are starting to breed so have extra special dietary needs and care.

Unlike other zoos, despite all the not-for-profit and community work we do, we are not a charity so we rely on visitor spend and footfall for all our income. Easter and May are usually our first busiest time in the season when we make 40% of the annual profit which its essential to pay off costs accrued during the quiet winter season and profits to enable the business to survive all year round. We have had no real income now since October last year so since we closed due to Covid-19 we have been struggling to meet our high outgoing costs with absolutely no funds coming in and this will continue to be more of a struggle every day that lockdown and social distancing rules continue.

Here we have a breeding programme for both species of British seahorse and we are the only place now to house both of these endangered native species. We have been working for many year now towards eventually re-releasing these into the wild to the places where they have almost disappeared around Wales and the UK, working alongside local fisheries and with Project Seagrass and other organisations to make this a reality in the future.

However, our seahorse breeding programme alone costs us around £1000 a month with the electricity and specialist feeding costs. Currently we have baby seahorses which are almost 6 months old and need a bespoke diet and daily live food of the correct size in order to guarantee their survival. So they need a lot of extra hands on time and care and new we simply cannot afford that without some financial support.

The seahorses are just one of our many exhibits which need on going staff care, which means that while I have 16 staff on furlough, I still have to keep experienced staff on and find the money to pay their wages to ensure the ongoing welfare of all our animals. I have 16 other staff members who were expecting to return for seasonal work over Easter and in May but who are now on hold indefinitely.

We have started an emergency crowdfunding campaign to raise funds towards the ongoing care of the animals and to keep the life support systems running.The link to this is below:
>
> https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/seazoo?utm_term=2vmXPykpR

I would be grateful if this could be publicised as much as possible, so far we have been bowled over by the amount of public support and positive comments and we are very grateful for this, we need every penny we can get!

We are also selling gift vouchers, animal adoptions and season passes via our website, anyone who would like to help can contact us on post@angleseyseazoo.co.uk

See attached photos of our baby seahorses now almost 6 months old, less than and inch long

We have some short videos of these and many other animals also as we are currently capturing regular ‘behind the scenes’ footage throughout the aquarium and doing live feeds to show our followers what our animals get up to when the visitors are not here to watch them in action.

We are getting lots of positive feedback from what we are sharing so far and any extra coverage will be beneficial to our cause.

For any further information please contact me on frankie@angleseyseazoo.co.uk or call me on my mobile number below.

Many thanks and stay safe and healthy!

Frankie

A unique native British marine aquarium, displaying the Best of native British marine wildlife.

16/04/2020

3 weeks in and the weather's lovely. I hope everyone is making the most of it and staying at home.

We are waiting for the conclusion of talks between the ccg and local optical committees to set up an community, emergency triage scheme; it's a lot of work in a short space of time but the current situation does rather focus your mind.

In the mean time we are still open for the usual things; emergencies, essential care for key workers, repairs and replacements.

The practice is manned in the morning but available during all normal working hours by phone and email.

swindon@whitehorseoptical.co.uk and 01793 432751

We can, and have, made glasses the same day so if you have concerns or need replacements urgently get in touch.

We can now source sun glass lenses for most prescriptions so if the weather is making you uncomfortable we can probably help here too.

Contact lenses are arriving as normal. We'll contact you when yours are here. We can post or deliver them or you can collect them at the door.

So stay safe and stay at home if you can.

White Horse Optical

01/04/2020

Well this is fun isn't it.😃
I don't imagine any of us have ever seen anything like it.

The practice is still open but on a remote basis. We're making sure everyone who is expecting contact lenses is getting them. If you think you haven't let us know.

Lots of glasses, contact lenses and artificial tears have been delivered to help us all keep to the government's request of only essential travel and minimal contact.

If you have concerns about your eyes you can reach us on the telephone in normal working hours but please don't attend the practice without arranging it first.

Keep your spirits up and stay safe.

Wishing you all the best in a very trying situation.

All the staff at The White Horse Optical Practice

23/03/2020

Coronavirus COVID - 19

Update - 23 March 2020

We have been advised by the College of Optometrists to cease all non essential eye examinations
and offer only essential services. Essential services include eye examinations based on a clinical need, and urgent eye care pathways.

However will do our utmost to provide all the care we can so if you have any concerns please contact us by phone
01793 432751 or email swindon@whitehorseoptical.co.uk.

We have an onsite glazing lab so, uniquely in Swindon, we can make glasses onsite from our own stock of frames and lenses and we are still able to order lenses from our suppliers for assembly onsite. Spare and additional pairs can also be supplied and we will to deliver these to you if at all possible.

For those patients who receive frequent replacement contact lenses and collect from the practice we are still receiving these in the usual way. When yours arrive we will contact you and arrange to get them to you. Please contact us if you feel your contact details need to be updated.

The safety of our staff and patients is paramount in these difficult times so PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND THE PRACTICE IN PERSON IN THE FIRST INSTANCE but contact us, as above, and Dr Leighton will discuss your needs before deciding on the best course of action.

20/03/2020

Business as usual here. We can deliver your spectacles and contact lenses* if you are self-isolating or social distancing (some areas might take a bit longer) and we can make glasses on site, so if you need some in a hurry we can probably help.

* you'll need to be up to date with your aftercare.

19/03/2020

Coronavirus COVID - 19

We are currently open and fully functioning. We are not experiencing any delays from our suppliers and appointments are available.
In line with Government recommendations, we are asking any patient experiencing a temperature, or a new, continuous cough to cancel their appointment over the phone and to rebook when they are fully recovered.

We understand that some patients – especially those from more vulnerable groups [Over 70’s, or those with underlying health conditions] - may not be able to attend a clinic unless absolutely necessary. If these patients have any questions about the health of their eyes, please email on Swindon@whitehorseoptical.co.uk or telephone the practice on 01793 432751 and we will arrange for Dr Leighton to speak to you.

In some cases [subject to the date of your last sight test and our current frame stock] we may be able to make up and post out an emergency pair of spectacles based on your previous prescription and frame order. If practical, we may be able to deliver your completed spectacles or contact lenses to you, please contact us to discuss this.

For contact lenses patients we are awaiting guidance from our professional bodies regarding the recommended position regarding the provision of lenses when annual aftercare is either due or overdue.

For those visiting the practice, hand sanitisers are available for staff and patients. When trying on frames, each one will be disinfected before going back on display.

We will update this as the situation requires but if you have any queries please contact us.

We look forward to continuing to fulfil your eye care and eye wear needs, now and in the future.

26/02/2019

11/07/2018

To compliment the new Bolon range we can now offer the new Essilor E-Mirror series. These allow lots of new mirror tints and semi - flash mirrors to match your favourite sunglasses.
Come and see them in store

11/07/2018

New in store the Bolon range from France. Great shapes, excellent quality and very reasonable prices. These are really on trend for this year and the sunglass tints and mirrors really stand out.

03/03/2018

Sadly the weather has beaten us and we will have to reschedule our Gucci promo day. But rest assured it will happen and we'll repost when we have organised it.