Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Primary Care and
Public Health (Neil O'Brien): I am pleased to announce that
NHS England will make available sight testing to all special
schools from 2024/25.
We know that children with a learning disability are 28 times
more likely to have a serious sight problem, and over 40% require
glasses. Whilst free NHS sight tests are available for all
children, the Government acknowledges the particular challenges
faced by children and young people who attend special school
settings in accessing high street sight testing services and also
the benefit of these settings in receiving personalised advice on
optimising the environment for learning.
The NHS Long Term Plan made a commitment to provide sight testing
in special residential schools. To meet that commitment, NHS
England commenced a proof-of-concept programme in 2021 to pilot a
potential sight testing service model. This pilot was subject to
an independent evaluation. As a result of that evaluation, NHSE
is proposing to build upon the Long Term Plan commitment and
extend provision to all children in special education day
schools.
NHS England now intends to undertake a period of engagement with
key stakeholders, schools, and the public over summer 2023, in
order to share the learning from the proof-of-concept scheme and
further develop the care model that will underpin the proposed
future of the new expanded sight testing scheme. Following which
NHS England will publish a revised service specification and
roll-out plans.
Whilst this engagement is undertaken existing contractors will
continue to operate under the current proof-of-concept
arrangements until such time as NHS England complete their
engagement and confirm the future commissioning arrangements.
I hope this will be welcome news and I thank those from across
the eye care sector who have helped to shape this valuable
service.
