For over 35 years Christopher Young Opticians has taken the time necessary to care for the eye health & vision of each of you, our patients.
Each year that goes by we strive to get better at doing this – for your benefit. We enjoy the time and effort that this requires, to hone our skills and purchase (without NHS support) the sophisticated equipment needed, to deliver thorough eye care to our patients.
The NHS sight test fee has been frozen for 6 years, and in the years before it increased at a far lower rate than inflation. During this time, despite rising costs, we maintained a high quality of care for our patients. To protect our clients and reduce the number of clients in the practice at any one time, the sight test time with us has increased to 45 minutes long, despite the NHS only funding 9 minutes of the care you receive.
As we set out to survive the pandemic it became clear that we could no longer work without a sustainable NHS fee to cover the cost of the thorough eye care we provide.
We had several (socially distanced of course) meetings, to try and find a sustainable way forward. After a long, thoughtful, and often emotional process, which included heart wrenching decisions, we emerged from lockdown as a practice offering reassuringly thorough eye care to the whole family, for the first time in 35 years, outside of the NHS.
No, we are a self-funding practice that had a contract with the NHS. What you probably didn’t know is that they didn’t always pay us for seeing patients. Particularly if the NHS decided that they didn’t think the patient needed a sight test. We made a loss all too often.
We haven’t changed, it’s the NHS funding that has not kept up to date with the eye care we provide. Our vision is simple; reassuringly thorough eye care for every patient, for life.
A low cost monthly Direct Debit plan which gives you EyeCare Plan membership. Full details are here
Membership benefits include:
Telephone or book to come and see us, and we will set up your EyeCare Plan membership.
Children are welcome too. Just as we care for our own children, we’d like yours to benefit from Advanced Eye Care as well. If one adult member of the family is a member of EyeCare Plan, any children under 19 years of age will receive free eyecare and free standard spectacle lenses if required.
As we don’t provide NHS sight testing, we cannot issue an NHS optical voucher. Other opticians cannot issue an NHS optical voucher to our prescription either – these are NHS regulations not ours. We do however offer free eyecare and lenses to children under 19 years of age if one or both parents are members of our Eyecare Plan.
This has not been an easy decision for us. For many years we have subsidised the true cost of thorough eye care for their NHS patients. The pandemic was the final straw and left us unable to carry on under a grossly underfunded NHS sight testing system.
You can search for an NHS optician on the NHS website, or ask friends & family for recommendations.
Our EyeCare Plan Plus is designed with you in mind. It’s just £9.00 per month to provide the benefits of EyeCare Plan, plus contact lens care too. If you like you can also add your contact lenses to your Direct Debit – as many of our patients have done for years. Just ask us for a quote.
We will continue to offer emergency eyecare appointments however because we no longer have an NHS contract we can no longer provide these free of charge unless you are an EyeCare Plan member. These are NHS rules, not ours.
If you would prefer to pay for your consultations each time you attend, that’s absolutely fine. Please contact us for the current prices.
If you have any questions we’ve not covered please contact us.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Optometrist
Chris qualified as an optometrist virtually before time began. He has worked in the practice since it opened in 1986 and now specialises in Vision Therapy. In his spare time he is a member of the local Masonic Lodge and enjoys sailing, watching rugby and cricket as well as sampling Single Malts and red wine.
Optometrist and Dry Eye Specialist
After finishing a degree in Biology at Southampton University Rebecca went on to study Optometry at Cardiff University and completed her pre-registration at Williams & Parry Opticians in heart of the Welsh valleys.
Rebecca still keeps a strong affiliation with Cardiff University and has returned as a part-time clinical supervisor and also as an organiser/participant in the ‘Returning Vision Moldova Project’. This non-profit University associated project involves visiting remote and impoverished communities in Moldova and providing eye exams and glasses to those in need.
Always keen to expand her knowledge Rebecca has consistently completed extra accreditation in optometry since graduating; most recently the post-graduate certificate in Independent Prescribing for Optometrists.
After meeting a particularly charming West-Country man 6 years ago Rebecca migrated across the Severn bridge and has resided very happily in the Mendip area ever since. Of course being Welsh she is an avid Rugby fan and during any international match she is easily recognisable at her local pub for sporting the only red shirt in the house!
Manager & Eyewear Advisor
Tracy worked for Tesco on the customer service desk for many years before joining us in 2014. In her spare time she enjoys walking and travel, particularly to the USA.
Audiologist and Hearing Aid Consultant
Nikisha has been a fully qualified audiologist for more than seven years, having graduated from the University of Bristol in Summer 2012. After gaining her degree, she worked as part of a fantastic NHS team in Bath for two years, which greatly developed her clinical expertise.
Following her time in the NHS, Nikisha wanted to broaden her knowledge further, and so five years ago moved into the private sector, where she has been able to continue to build her extensive skillset.
“I decided to venture out and join the team at The Hearing Care Partnership because they are renowned for delivering great customer service and great technology to their clients, which is something I wanted to be part of. In addition, working alongside optical practice teams was an intriguing proposition, and a whole new experience for me.
“When I’m not at work, I love to spend time with my daughter. I also really enjoy a good mystery or crime book – Harlan Coben is one of my favourite authors!”
Optical Assistant
Kay has had many years of customer service, both in retail and Doctor’s surgeries. She is happiest when walking in the Somerset countryside with her dog.
Eyewear Stylist and Dry Eye Technician
Eloise joined us from another High Street Optical practice. She has been trained as an optical assistant and clinical technician and is supporting Tracy with Styling Consultations as well as helping to run our Dry Eye Clinics