Don't lose sight of doing what is right.
Currently, an NHS Special Schools Eye Care Service is providing full eye tests in over 80 special schools, attended by over 9000 children. NHS England began its rollout in April 2021. It is operating in three regions of England. The aim was to offer to all special schools, potentially reaching 140,000 children.
Unfortunately the promised rollout to more special schools has halted for an evaluation. Eye care delivery teams have unexpectedly been told their existing contracts are ending in Spring 2023, in order for NHS England to make decisions about the future of the Service and the way it will be commissioned.
Below, you can hear from children, parents, schools, eye care teams and experts in the field about why this service is absolutely essential.
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Don’t lose sight of doing what is right
The rollout of eye care and glasses dispensing in all special schools in England embodies NHS ideals. In this blog, Lisa Donaldson, our Head of Eye Care and Vision, appeals to NHS leaders to embrace this programme of work and introduces a series of guest blogs on the benefits already seen under the NHS Special Schools Eye Care Service, as the future of the Service from Spring 2023 is uncertain.
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No looking back: how eye care has transformed our children’s lives
Parents have been sharing their views on how the Service has helped overcome the challenges of getting suitably adjusted eye care, with some children being able to see properly for the first time in their special education. With the future of the Service uncertain, it is important that parents voices are heard.
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What we have learnt: how special schools have embraced eye care
Two special school leaders talk of how bringing eye care into special schools has been made such a difference for their pupils, with children now being able to make the most of their special education.
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No more tears and fears: why eye care works so well in special schools
“Now I don’t have the stress or guilt of forcing Jeremy to go to hospital, or taking him out of school for his appointments. It’s not fair for the NHS to introduce a Service then leave its future hanging in the balance.”
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Optical inclusion: the difference made by eye care teams in special schools
Professionals involved in the new NHS Service share how different disciplines in eye care are coming together, and how the expertise of Dispensing Opticians has been crucial for so many children seen in special schools.
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Why eye care for all special schools is evidence based and equitable
Professor Kathyrn Saunders, was part of the NHS working group on behalf of the College of Optometrists. As a leading subject matter expert on paediatric eye care at Ulster University she provides the context for working in all special schools, and shares her dismay that the future of the Service is uncertain.
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Why early eye care in special schools addresses preventable sight loss
Louise Gow, who is delivering the Service as part of a SeeAbility eye care team, and who is also Clinical lead for eye health and low vision at RNIB, explains why working with younger children in special schools offers a crucial window of opportunity to prevent sight loss.
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Why we are standing up for an equal right to sight
In the last blog of this series, two parents who have campaigned improved eye care for people with learning disabilities, Baroness Sheila Hollins and Alyson Farrell, speak out on the need to keep eye care in special schools, and share how they are bringing attention to the issue of improving eye care for all people with learning disabilities in parliament.