NHS England has published the Prior Information Notice (PIN) in relation to Sight Testing and Dispensing and Dental Checks in Special Educational Settings, giving details of how they intend to engage with potential providers. This includes a series of discussion webinars between 26 November and 5 December.
2023 Engagement Report
The NHS England engagement report was published in 2023. In this, NHS England has proposed a few changes to the proof of concept (POC) programme. The main change is that each child will only be entitled to one pair of glasses in line with GOS voucher amounts, in line with the general NHS specification. However, BIOS has highlighted that the priority should be the selection and availability of appropriate glasses for the cohort in question, with limited opportunity for significant profit to be made through the supply of such glasses. Additionally, AOP and SeeAbility believe that the funding allocated per child is likely to be reduced from the initial funding amount used for POC. Finally, the engagement report proposes changing from an opt-out programme, as in the POC, to an opt-in, active consent programme. BIOS encourages the use of an opt-out service provision, with opt-in for dilating eye drops system, as has been used successfully in existing HES Orthoptic-led special school services.
Service Rollout and Dates for Contract Tenders
During the previous government, the decision was made for the service to be provided at an individual ICB level, rather than nationally, via NHS England. BIOS encourages that existing services and hospital eye services (with or without orthoptic input) should be actively approached to bid for this service.
The following dates have been released to discuss contracting. These are important for discussion of how to bid for the NHS England service, either to start from new or supplement existing services. NHS England have committed to working with ALL stakeholders and communication between Hospital services and the new NHS England service has been raised as paramount for integration of this new service within patient care pathways. BIOS highlights the need for careful consideration of how these services are set up where there is existing or pending provision. These engagement webinars are an opportunity to define what a smooth service development looks like for any new provision, especially where there is overlap.
- North West & North east & Yorkshire – Tuesday 26 November, 1-2pm
- London & South East – Wednesday 27 November , 1-2pm
- South West – Tuesday 3 December, 1-2pm
- East of England & Midlands – Thursday 5 December, 12-1pm
Information on where to sign up can be found at:
NHS Sight Testing and Dental Checks in Special Educational Settings – Find a Tender
The estimated date of publication of contract notice is 6th January 2025.
For further assistance or enquiries, please contact: