COVID-19 Pharmacy, Dental & Opticians

To prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), changes have been made to how you get medicines and advice from a pharmacy at the moment.

Try to call your pharmacy or contact them online before going in person.

Do not go to a pharmacy if:

• you have symptoms of coronavirus (a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste)
• you live with someone who has symptoms
• you’re at high risk from coronavirus

Please get your medicines delivered or ask someone to collect them. You can order repeat prescriptions online.

Find information about dentists during COVID-19, details of the treatments and costs including:
•Finding a dentist
•Visiting your dentist during the COVID-19 pandemic
•Your first routine visit
•Emergency dental care
•Payment

What can your NHS dentist do for you leaflet

Please contact your usual Optometry Practice as you would normally for information and advice on the services currently available.

Many Opticians are now open and you should  book directly with them, they will be minimizing  the time you need to spend with them and should provide you with guidance when you book which will should include the wearing of face coverings.

For Urgent / Emergency eye care options:

1. Urgent Referral Clinic – based at Boston House this service is run by Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust, patients can ask their GP or Optometrist to be referred in to them.
2. Urgent Eye Care Service provided by Primary Eyecare. (details below)

Symptoms that can be seen under the service include:
• Red or painful eye or eyelids
• Recently occurring flashes or floaters
• Recent and sudden loss of vision
• Foreign body in the eye
If you have very minor symptoms you may be advised to self care or seek support from your local pharmacy first.

Please note, this is not a sight test. Also, if you have a major eye condition that is being regularly monitored by your optometrists or hospital eye service, this will not be covered by this service, for example, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma.

To access Urgent Eye Care service you will need to be registered with a local GP. It is for people of all ages – adults and children. Children under 16 years must be accompanied at their appointment by an adult.

To make an appointment, call one of the participating optical practices.

You will be asked some questions about your symptoms in order to assess if you need to be seen and how quickly, which will be within 24hrs for urgent cases.