Haywards Heath opticians gives away 500 pairs of glasses to NHS staff as a special thank you

A Haywards Heath opticians is giving away 500 pairs of glasses to NHS staff as a special thankyou for their hard work throughout the pandemic.
The staff of Armstrongs OpticiansThe staff of Armstrongs Opticians
The staff of Armstrongs Opticians

The new-look Armstrongs Opticians is offering to give away glasses throughout December. It enables anybody to bring their prescription into the opticians and they will receive a free pair of single vision glasses if they can present their NHS badge.

Manager Carrie Heasman said: “It’s something the staff are really keen to support as it means it’s something NHS staff don’t have to worry about with all the added pressures they are facing this winter.

‘I think it’s really important because it’s something that’s close to my heart with all the hard work that the NHS do, especially over the past few months.

Inside Armstrongs OpticiansInside Armstrongs Opticians
Inside Armstrongs Opticians

"Giving them an early Christmas present is a really nice way to do that and it’s great that we can help to make their lives a bit easier. I’m pretty sure word will get around so the offer will be snapped up pretty quickly.’

Anyone wanting to purchase any extras such as non-reflective tinting or varifocal lenses will need to pay an additional charge.

If you’re interested in taking up the offer, you need to contact the opticians in advance to arrange an appointment, as staff are limiting the number of patients coming in due to the impact of the pandemic.

During the first lockdown in the spring, staff were helping patients by delivering services where they were most needed. They took over some medical work which is normally carried out in hospital, such as follow-up eye care for people who had damaged their eyes.

The team offered an emergency replacement or repair service to all NHS and key workers in the area. It meant that they could keep working if they broke their glasses.

This meant that the numbers of people attending hospital for eye appointments was kept to a minimum and it also meant patients who were worried about coronavirus didn’t have to visit a busy outpatients department.

Staff also checked in with the elderly and the vulnerable, not just to check on the health of their eyes but to see if they were okay and even to have a chat to prevent loneliness and isolation.

Meanwhile, the branch had a refurbishment during lockdown and so will look completely different to patients who haven’t visited recently.

"We’ve made it a lot more traditional as an opticians,’ Carrie added.

"It’s a really new look with some really nice frames. People have said that it’s a lot more spacious. Patients all really love the new look.”

The offer will work on a first come, first served basis. Call 01444 450193 or email [email protected]. The branch is located in South Road.

A further 500 pairs of glasses are also being given away at Bott’s Opticians in Eastbourne.