ACES (ACUTE COMMUNITY EYECARE SCHEME)

What is Aces?

ACES is a free service available to all patients registered with a Somerset GP. The service provides patients experiencing recently occurring medical eye conditions with appropriate treatment closer to home. The service is provided by local optometrists with the specialist knowledge and skills to carry out this work at a locally approved opticians.

Medical eye conditions which can be treated by ACES

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 of the eye

If you are unsure whether your symptoms qualify, please contact
one of the approved opticians who can advise you

How do I access ACES?

Below is a list of approved opticians. Please be aware that your normal optometrist may have chosen not to offer this service. You can contact any of these approved opticians directly (self refer) to make an appointment and 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 refer you to the optometrist for treatment.

What happens when I see the optometrist?

The optometrist will discuss your eye history, any symptoms you may be experiencing and any related medical history.

You will receive an eye assessment relevant to your symptoms.

Please take a list of all current medications and your up to date glasses with you to the appointment. As a result of the consultation you may be:

  • Given appropriate treatment by the optometrist, this may include a follow-up appointment
  • Referred to your GP for appropriate treatment if your eye condition is related to your general health
  • Referred directly to the hospital eye service if your eye condition is more serious

Following your appointment the optometrist will notify your GP about the outcome of your consultation in order to ensure your medical records are updated.

A list of participating practices can be found below:

Area Practice Name Address Telephone
Bridgwater East Quay Vision East Quay Medical Centre, East Quay, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 4GP 01278 440440
Bridgwater Turners: A Concept Eye Clinic Aspen House, 67 Wembdon Road, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 7DR 01278 422978
Bridgwater Specsavers Opticians Royal Clarence House, High Street, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3BH 01278 452245
Burnham-on-Sea D J Bull Optometrist 41 High Street, Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, TA8 1PB 01278 785743
Burnham-on-Sea Specsavers Opticians 3 High Street, Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, TA8 1NX 01278 765460
Chard Robert Frith Optometrists 18 Fore Street, Chard, Somerset, TA20 1PP 01460 67771
Chard Specsavers Opticians 2 Fore Street, Chard, Somerset, TA20 1PH 01460 238800
Chard Stephen Beswetherick Opticians 60 Holyrood Street, Chard, Somerset, TA20 2AL 01460 63535
Cheddar NK Opticians Myrtle House, Bath Street, Cheddar, Somerset, BS27 3AA 01934 743723
Crewkerne Robert Frith Optometrists 4 Market Street, Crewkerne, Somerset, TA18 7JY 01460 72964sarah
Exmoor Cranmers Optometrists 12 Park Street, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 5NQ 01643 702204
Frome Eyetech Opticians 25 Market Place, Frome, Somerset, BA11 1AH 01373 462573
Frome Eyetech Opticians Frome Medical Practice, Enos Way, Frome, Somerset, BA11 2FH 01373 466391
Frome Specsavers Opticians 19 Westway Centre, Frome, Somerset, BA11 1BS 01373 451180
South Somerset Earlam & Christopher 38 North Street, Langport, Somerset, TA10 9RH 01458 250793
South Somerset Martock Opticians North Street, Martock, Somerset, TA12 6EH 01935 824431
South Somerset Robert Frith Optometrists 1 Fore Street, Castle Cary, Somerset, BA7 7BG 01963 351948
Street Eyetech Opticians 100 High Street, Street, Somerset, BA16 0EW 01458 442178
Street Rogers Optical (T/A Boots Opticians) 141A High Street, Street, Somerset, BA16 0EX 01458 442434
Street Specsavers Opticians 93 High Street, Street, Somerset, BA16 0EZ 01458 449400
Taunton Boots Opticians 64-65 High Street, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 3PT 01823 331736
Taunton Earlam & Christopher 51 Bridge Street, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 1TW 01823 272061
Taunton Crown Eyecare The Crown, Wellington Rd, Rumwell, Taunton TA4 1EL 01823 429883
Taunton Specsavers Opticians 20 East Street, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 3LP 01823 259416
Wells Millicans and Mansfield Opticians 65 High Street, Wells, Somerset, BA5 2AG 01749 673991
Wells Rogers Optical (T/A Boots Opticians) 66 High Street, Wells, BA5 2AJ 01749 678455
Wells Specsavers Opticians 60a High Street, Wells, Somerset, BA5 2SN 01749 673694
Wincanton Sarah Gibson Optometrist Commerce House, Market Place, Wincanton, Somerset, BA9 9LP 01963 34333
Yeovil Boots Opticians 39-41 Middle Street, Yeovil, Somerset, BA20 1LG 01935 423490
Yeovil Robert Frith Opticians Ryburn House, 28 Princes Street, Yeovil, Somerset, BA20 1EQ 01935 478463
Yeovil Specsavers Opticians 50/52 Middle Street, Yeovil, Somerset, BA20 1LX 01935 410040

 

ACES participating practices and opening times