Kickstart your health
Your health matters. We can help you improve your wellbeing by making healthier lifestyle choices. You’ll find the tools and support you need to quit smoking, get active, and lose weight. NHS website – Better Health
NHS diabetes prevention
A healthier You. If you think you are at risk of developing diabetes, you can now self-refer to the Healthier You Diabetes Prevention Programme. Please visit riscscore.diabetes.org.uk for an assessment of your diabetes risk.
Acute Community Eyecare service for Somerset (ACES)
A service to provide free assessment for most eye conditions through your local optician. The service is provided by local optometrists with specialist knowledge and skills to carry out this work at locally approved opticians.
The service is designed for recently occurring medical eye conditions such as:
Sudden or recent reduction in vision in one or both eyes
Red eye(s) or eye lids
Pain and/or discomfort in the eyes, around the eye area or temples
Recent onset or sudden increase of flashes and/or floaters in one or both eyes
Mild trauma, for example a scratch to the outer surface of the eye(s) or lid(s)
Suspected foreign body in the eye
Recent onset of double vision
Significant recent discharge from or watering from the eye
Eye conditions which cannot be treated by ACES
If you have any of the following eye conditions you should go direct to Accident & Emergency:
Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes
Considerable eye pain
Significant trauma such as a penetrating injury or lacerations to the eye(s) or lid(s)
Chemical injury or burns
Recent eye surgery
If you are unsure whether your symptoms qualify, please contact one of the approved opticians who can advise you.
How do I access ACES?
You can contact an approved optician directly (self-refer) and make an appointment. Ask to be seen under ACES. Appointments are available during normal working hours and you will be seen within 24 hours.
Alternatively, if you make an appointment to see your GP, he or she may tell you to book an appointment with an optometrist for treatment.
You are free to contact any of the approved opticians. However, your normal optometrist may have chosen not to offer this service. For more information click Somerset Eye Care
