NHS Sight Testing and Dental Checks in Special Educational Settings

NHS England has published this Prior Information Notice (PIN) in relation to Sight Testing and Dispensing and Dental Checks in Special Educational Settings.

The Long-Term Plan made a commitment to provide dental checks, sight tests and ear checks to SEND children and young people in all special residential educational settings. A joint announcement by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England was made on 19 June 2023 and detailed that the sight testing service would be expanded to all special educational settings. The 2024/2025 priorities and operational planning guidance details an ask of systems to implement annual sight tests and dispensing within special day and residential educational settings and dental checks within special residential educational settings during 2024/25, following engagement with SES and market testing.

NHS England is therefore keen to understand the market provider base available to achieve this.