New PES special schools service
Bright Sight Service will operate in Essex
Primary Eyecare Services (PES) has launched a new Special Schools Bright Sight Service in Mid and South Essex, following its award of the contract by NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board.
The integrated service is specifically designed to provide children with learning disabilities and autism access to sight tests and vision support within their own school environment – aligning with national policy priorities to improve access to eyecare for children with special educational needs and disabilities and reduce health inequalities.
As the appointed integrator of the service, PES has been selected to bring together special schools, local optometrists and NHS partners across the region, delivering a coordinated, consistent and child-centred model of care. It is the first initiative of its kind in the country.
Gavin Rathmell, PES head of special schools, commented: “We are thrilled to deliver sight tests in Essex’s special schools, ensuring children with additional needs can access high-quality eyecare in a familiar setting. Early identification of vision issues is crucial for their learning and wellbeing. By working together with schools, families and healthcare teams, we aim to make a real difference for these pupils.”
Gavin told Dispensing Optics Online that, in most cases, for Bright Sight, spectacle dispensing would be provided through the service pathway and may be delivered either on site by the eyecare team or via voucher redemption through a local optical practice, depending on what best meets the child’s needs and family preference.
He added: “Where dispensing is provided on site, measurements, frame selection, fitting and advice will be undertaken by appropriately registered professionals, including dispensing opticians where part of the delivery team. Alternatively, families can redeem the NHS optical voucher at a local optical practise for frame choice, fitting and supply.
“If a sight test identifies the need for spectacles, the eyecare team will issue the appropriate GOS optical voucher and support families to choose either frames from the contractor’s suitable range, or voucher redemption via High Street optical practice.”
Max Halford, clinical and policy director at ABDO, welcomed the further development of services delivering eyecare directly within special schools.
He said: “Bringing sight testing into special schools is always a hugely positive step for children with learning disabilities and additional needs, many of whom face significant barriers accessing eyecare through traditional routes. However, identifying a vision problem is only part of the pathway. Ensuring that visual task analysis is undertaken, facial measurements obtained, and that spectacles are appropriately selected, accurately fitted and comfortable to wear, is equally important, particularly for children who may need specialist frames and ongoing support.
“Dispensing opticians have unique expertise in this area and should form an integral part of the delivery team for services of this nature. I have written to Primary Eyecare Services to welcome the development of the service and to reinforce the importance of including dispensing opticians within the model.”