Healthy Living Optician a success - an
opportunity for optical practices in the future?
In August 2015,
the UK saw, the
first-ever cohort
of eight practices
gain accreditation
to become healthy
living opticians, which
marked the beginning
of the Healthy Living
Optician (HLO)
scheme in Dudley. necessary, referral into other services
such as nutrition, exercise, and dementia
support and mental health services.
12 months on, the pilot has been
deemed a success, with Dudley Office
of Public Health aiming to have at
least 50% of practices in its borough
accredited in the next year.
The initiative makes use of the time
Optometrist’s have with patients during
regular tests to start conversations
about general lifestyle choices. The
Optometrists then hand over to optical
staff that have had training to provide
services like helping patients quit
smoking and/or provide NHS Health
checks.
The HLO scheme involves optical staff
offering
• alcohol screening,
• weight management
• smoking cessation
• NHS health checks on adults without
an existing vascular condition
As part of the initiative patients
also get lifestyle advice and then, if The Results
In the year 2015 - 2016 the eight
optical practices involved in the HLO
scheme in Dudley have
• Recruited 31 patients into smoking
services (August 15 - April 16) and
supported 21 patients to stop smoking
• Spoken to 7690 about alcohol misuse
(May 15 - April 16) and identified
13% as hazardous drinkers
• Successfully performed 130 health
checks (January to April)
• Referred patients to weight
management services from Optical
practices
Overall, Dudley LOC and Dudley
Office of Public Health feels that these
services are working effectively and the
scheme has been successful. We believe
that this is an untapped opportunity and
that a scheme like this should be rolled
out across the UK.
The Beginning
When I was appointed as Chair of
Dudley LOC, I wrote many times to
public health, asking for a campaign
around smoking and blindness, however
nothing happened. It was only after
a chance meeting with the director of
public health that the development of
the Healthy Living Optician occurred,
this was based on the concept of the
Healthy Living Pharmacy. Not only was
there a poster campaign but a variety of
services offered in optical practices.
It is time that optical practices are
recognised as being ‘health hubs’ and
seen by Public Health England as
another avenue for patients to get access
to health services, as well as getting
advice on lifestyle and healthy living. I
am optimistic that there will be many
practices that will become HLO’s and
many areas will adopt this scheme. It is
all but just a matter of time.
For more information into the
scheme visit www.dudleyhlo.co.uk
Shamina Asif is Chair of Dudley LOC,
past vice Chair Walsall LOC, Council
member for the College of Optometrists,
Founder of Optom Academy and
Self- employed Optometrist.
April 2017 | etCETera 5