Why We’re Closing on Wednesdays (and Why I Believe It’s Better for Our Patients)

After a great deal of thought and planning, we’ve made the decision to close the practice every Wednesday.

Rather than spreading our team and resources across six days each week, we’re focusing them into our five clinic days. This means we’ll have more team members available when patients are in the practice, allowing us to provide an even better experience on the days we’re open.

Whether you’re visiting for an eye examination, choosing new glasses or simply popping in for an adjustment, you’ll benefit from having more support available throughout your visit, while our clinicians have the time and support they need to deliver the highest standard of care.

Although the practice will be closed to patients on Wednesdays, the work certainly doesn’t stop.

I’ll be using this dedicated time for the important “back office” work that helps the practice continue to grow and improve, including:

• Working with the team to deliver dedicated training and professional development.

• Developing new services and improving existing ones.

• Business planning and continuous improvement projects.

• Reviewing patient feedback and finding ways to enhance your experience.

• Keeping up to date with the latest clinical guidance, NHS developments and best practice.

By protecting time to work on the practice, rather than only in it, we can continue investing in the future of Page & Small Opticians while ensuring our team can give patients their full attention on our clinic days.

Our Opening Days

Our opening days are now:

• Monday

• Tuesday

• Thursday

• Friday

• Saturday

What if I need help on a Wednesday?

If you have a sudden eye problem that can’t wait, it’s important to seek advice promptly.

If you’re registered with a GP in South East London, you may be able to access the Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS), where specially trained optometrists can assess and manage many urgent eye problems. You don’t need to be registered with the practice you attend, so it’s worth contacting local MECS providers to find the earliest available appointment.

Alternatively, you can seek advice from NHS 111, your GP or pharmacist, or attend your local eye casualty department if appropriate.

For non-urgent enquiries, you’re always welcome to send us a WhatsApp message or email. I’ll check these where possible and will get back to you as soon as I can.

Looking Ahead

As a family-run independent practice, we’ve proudly cared for our local community for more than 30 years. We’re passionate about continually improving the care and service we provide.

This change isn’t about doing less—it’s about doing things better.

By creating dedicated time to develop the practice while concentrating our team into our clinic days, I believe we’ll be able to provide an even better experience for our patients, both now and in the future.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support of our independent family practice. It genuinely means a great deal to all of us.

I look forward to welcoming you to the practice soon.

Best wishes,

Abi Page FBDO

Managing Director

Page & Small Opticians