Claire at Hammond and Dummer

How do we Contact You?

2011-01-29T07:45:00.000-08:00

Spam is the bane of the technological era. We don't wish to add to the huge amount of emails in your inbox every morning but would love to keep in touch with our patients. I have therefore asked our son Sam to set up a Facebook page. We would urge you to join and become my friend. It can be accessed from the 'Contact' page of our website at www.hammondanddummer.co.uk

New Website

2011-01-29T07:41:00.000-08:00

I hope you will visit our new website. Designed by my husband Bob it is modern and minimalist. We both hope you like it and would welcome some feedback. There's always more to do on the site and I am sure that Bob has made the odd mistake. If you find one then please let us know.

OCT Mark Two

2011-01-29T07:39:00.000-08:00

It was very unfortunate but my OCT from Optovue failed to live up to expectations. It was broken more time than it was working. We had a little 'chat' with the distributors and have now installed the latest and advanced Topcon (a branch of Toshiba) instrument. This new magic box combines retinal imaging and OCT so only one instrument to sit at rather than two.

New Technology

2011-01-29T07:20:00.000-08:00

My practice computers have recently started to slow down. In my naivety I thought a couple of new workstations would solve the problem but not so. Eventually we had to install a new network but on reflection the old system was six years old - not a bad life-span for computers I am told.
The benefits should be apparent and with the new software from Optix the network now functions as it should.

Welcome to my Practice Makeover

2011-01-29T07:03:00.000-08:00

I have been working over the past few weeks with Bob and the family to smarten up the practice. We have refurbished the contact lens teach room and second consulting room into a brand new consulting room for me. The old one was a bit like a broom cupboard. Now there is plenty of room for parents and family to come into the consulting room to be with their loved ones. The new colours will modernise the practice but maintain that homely feel. Our kids certainly enjoyed painting the walls .. and floors .. and themselves!

New Recognition for H&D

2011-01-29T06:56:00.000-08:00

Posted in 2010

It's that time of the year again when the optical 'Oscars' are decided. It is great that the profession recognises outstanding contributions but my main aim is to care and look after my patients. This year my practice is recognised in the following categories - Family Practice of the Year, Technological Practice of the Year and Best Optical Assistants of the Year. These potential awards are the culmination of a team effort at my practice and I offer a sincere thank you to all my staff.

Back to School for Me!

2011-01-29T06:51:00.001-08:00

Posted in 2010

It is hugely inconvenient for you to have to visit family doctors for a prescription after I have made a valid diagnosis of your eye complaint. I am not allowed, by law, to prescribe drugs.

Enlightened regulators will now allow me to treat my patients and prescribe such drugs as antibiotics if I attend and pass a yearlong course at City University, London.
I have worked hard on the distance learning part of the course since the autumn and last week attended the residential course. Next comes my clinical experience working with a consultant ophthalmologist and then the dreaded exams.
By the summer I hope to have graduated along with my 20 or so 'class-mates' thereby pushing forward the quality of care that I can offer.

24 Hours a Day!

2011-01-29T06:50:00.000-08:00

Posted in 2010

I have just finalised the installation of a new digital telephone system at my practice and have been amazed at what the new technology can do for our patients.

Using VOIP and the internet we have established a virtual telephone extension at my home. I need my beauty sleep and time with the kids as much as anyone but I have been concerned for some time that out of hours there is little, if any, optometry help.
Telephoning H&D at any time will elicit an answer from a real person - out of hours it'll be me at home or my husband.
One thing you can be absolutely sure of: There are no push button this or that and being put on hold for ages. 99% of the time a person will answer.

Well Done Oakgrove School

2011-01-29T06:49:00.000-08:00

Posted in 2010

My step-son Samuel attends the local Oakgrove School on the eastern side of MK. Bob and I would love to congratulate Peter Barnes and his staff and governors on the completion of the new sixth form - whoops, showing my age - the A level facility!

I was treated to a sneak preview before the end of term and wow what a building and facilities.
I wish I'd have enjoyed roof terraces, coffee bars and fully furnished piazzas. Of course students will be expected to work hard but the opportunity to succeed has been provided by the tenacity and endeavour of Peter Barnes.
Hopefully the standard of education in MK will improve immeasurably with the hard work of the dedicated teachers in the 'City'.
I am pleased to be able to support young men and women by opening H&D to work experience students. You may well have seen enthusiastic youngsters around my practice.

Get Your Eyes Tested!

2011-01-29T06:44:00.000-08:00

Posted in 2010

How many of us have shouted these words when driving around Milton Keynes? Well it could well be true. Around half of the UK's 40 million drivers have not had an eye examination in more than four years according to a survey.
Swinton surveyed 2,000 customers and discovered that 28 per cent had not visited an optician for between four and six years, 16 per cent had not done so for between six and eight years and another 16 per cent had not done so for ten years or over.
Steve Chelton from Swintons said "The tough financial climate means routine eye examinations are being neglected. Although there is no legal obligation to have regular eye examinations, for their own safety and others on the road we strongly recommend that all drivers have their eyes examined at least every two years".
I strongly agree with Steve. I wonder how long it'll be before mandatory eye examinations are part of insuring your car?
Many of my patients would fail the standard set for driving without glasses. So it may be true what we shout - Get Your Eyes Tested!

Award for My Practice?

2011-01-29T06:20:00.001-08:00

Posted in 2010

The 'Optician' magazine awards accolades yearly to the best practices and companies in the UK. My team and I are delighted to have been nominated as 'Fashion Frame Practice of the Year'

The Awards Evening happens in early April and I will attend - a great chance for a new frock!
Most seriously this nomination is, I believe, recognition of my dedication to quality. In this instance it is for the frames that I stock and sell. The whole team at H&D are rigorous in choosing frames that are of the highest quality, latest designs and from all the Haute Couture designers in the world. Further we choose to sell frames from small companies worldwide that in our view have stunning products for you, our patients.

OCT Arrives at H&D

2011-01-29T06:10:00.000-08:00

Posted in 2010

"OCT has pushed the diagnosis of eye problems forward by a decade". So say the most forward thinking Ophthalmologists worldwide.

I will be the first to invest in any new instrument that will provide help and reassurance to my patients. My OCT instrument was delivered in January and is now full operational. Many patients have benefited in the limited time that I have had the instrumentation and I hope to help thousands more in the coming years.
Only very few OCT instruments have been sold - the manufacturer of mine has sold only 1,000 worldwide - the majority in the USA and Japan.
OCT started its life in hospitals; although Milton Keynes Hospital hasn't got one! From that early start forward thinking practices knew it was the way to go for their patients. It has been slow to be taken up by Opticians - none that I know of in a 20 mile radius of MK.
Many, many optical problems can be helped by proper diagnosis and prognostic evaluation. OCT is pivotal in this regard. Please don't delay and book a full eye examination, including OCT with me as soon as possible.