PLYMOUTH VCHP celebrates six months of clinics

PLYMOUTH VCHP celebrates six months of clinics

Shared space with a GP surgery, in a dedicated outreach centre, has proved to be a great success for the Plymouth VCHP clinic.

Located within the Shekinah Centre in the Stonehouse Creek area, the clinic is within an area with the highest level of homelessness in Devon.

VCHP is very grateful for the support of the optical team at the University of Plymouth – both with the set-up, and continuing support to run the clinics, particularly from student optometrists during the first six months.

Tammie Loughlin, the Clinic Manager and a student optom, heads up an inspiring young team –

“We have a cohort of students, helping and making use of the learning opportunities, working alongside the profession who are happy to share their expertise while delivering the eyecare service.”

Essilor in Caerphilly generously provide the glazing, with nearly 100 pairs of specs dispensed since the clinic opened, as Matthew Castle, Site Manager, Essilor, Caerphilly explained –

“It is great to be involved with VCHP.  We pride ourselves on being just as much a local as a national business, and in providing optimum eyesight across the world.  Long may our collaboration continue. Powers from -11.5D and -13.00 with significant astigmatisms are jobs that have come through, and we understand that some of these high Rx patients have not had a sight test for several years and come in with very scratched and damaged specs.”

The Plymouth clinic team spoke about one recent client who feared that she was going blind.  Her eye examination revealed presbyopia, and the team were able to reassure her and provide reading specs, which ended the anxiety she had been suffering from for months.  This patient was a powerful reminder of the challenges that many people face.