Free NHS sight tests will be made available within all special school settings, the government and NHS England confirmed today.
- NHS England and the government work together to make sight tests available for all pupils attending special schools
- Children with learning disabilities 28 times more likely to have serious sight issues
- Free NHS sight tests continue to be available for all children in opticians
Free NHS sight tests will be made available within all special school settings, the government and NHS England confirmed today.
Additional testing in special education day schools will be rolled out next year, adding to the commitment in the NHS Long Term Plan to offer sight tests within residential special schools.
Pupils at special schools can face additional challenges in accessing sight testing services via opticians and a successful pilot scheme has proven the benefits of receiving tests and personalised advice in their familiar learning environments.
Backed by a more than £10 million investment, the testing extension is expected to help up to an estimated 165,000 more children and will begin from 2024 to 2025.
Minister Neil O’Brien said:
I am pleased we will be able to support sight testing for all pupils in special schools, an environment where they feel more comfortable.
We have worked closely with NHS England, stakeholders and charities to extend this important service and thousands of pupils will benefit as a result.
It’s vital for all children to have access to NHS sight tests and I’m grateful to all those who helped make this possible.
According to the charity Seeability, children with learning disabilities are 28 times more likely to suffer from a serious sight problem.
NHS England introduced the pilot sight testing programme in special schools in 2021 with the aim of rolling these out in residential special schools. Following the pilot’s success, the provision will be extended to all day schools.
NHS England will shortly begin a period of engagement with key stakeholders, special schools and the public, to further develop the scheme before it’s introduced from 2024 to 2025.
While this engagement takes place existing arrangements for testing will continue.
