A Bolton MP took a trip to see the good work opticians and audiologists are doing in the town. 

Yasmin Qureshi, MP for Bolton South East, visited the Specsavers branch, off Victoria Square, to see how expert opticians and audiologists are making a difference to patients, their community and supporting the NHS.

She witnessed how the team of clinicians deliver NHS services using hospital grade equipment.

She also heard how the store supports community organisations ranging from two junior football teams, a cricket team to a domestic abuse charity and children’s hospital ward, and provides a range of career opportunities for local people. 

Ms Qureshi said: "It was a great opportunity to meet the Specsavers team and hear how they provide expert care on our high street and are undoubtedly a vital part of Bolton’s community healthcare provision and easing the pressure on NHS services.

"I was particularly interested to hear about the intensive training that is required for all members of the team, and discuss how community audiologists and opticians have the skills to play an even bigger part in delivering critical services in the community." 

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Shakeel Kadva, audiology director at Specsavers Bolton, said: "We were delighted to be able to introduce Ms Qureshi to the team.

"She showed real interest in Specsavers’ mission to change lives through better sight and hearing and our ambition to further improve access to care for all, especially for the people of Bolton.

"We are locally owned and run, and are proud to be at the heart of our community, whether that’s providing exceptional eye health and hearing care services or supporting community organisations." 

Nationally, Specsavers has more than 1,000 stores throughout the UK and is the leading provider of NHS primary care optometry services – testing more than 20m eyes every year. 

It also provides more than 40 per cent of NHS community audiology services in England, supporting more than 200,000 NHS audiology patients a year.