Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to renew the NHS contract for the Special Schools Eye Care service; and what timetable has been laid out for a decision on the future of this service.

The NHS Long Term Plan committed to ensure that children and young people with a learning disability and/or autism in special residential schools have access to eyesight, hearing and dental checks. In 2021, NHS England commenced a proof of concept programme to pilot and evaluate a potential sight testing service model in residential schools. The pilot is currently being evaluated and we expect this to conclude early in 2023.

NHS England has confirmed that existing contracts in day schools will continue until 31 March 2023. The evaluation of the proof of concept pilot will also inform whether this service should continue.