Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the effect of the NHS sight test fee on the accessibility of sight tests for people with severe learning disabilities.

For those entitled to a National Health Service sight test, the service is free at the point of need. There are no costs to patients to form a barrier to accessibility. All children under the age of 16, those under the age of 19 in full time education, as well as all adults aged 60 or over are entitled to an NHS sight test. Those on a low income and defined categories of people at particular risk of developing eye disease are also entitled to NHS sight tests.

The eligibility criteria are long standing and target help on those most at risk of eye disease or least able to pay for a private sight test. This will include most people with severe learning disabilities or those who are homeless. There is recognition however that there are particular practical challenges for these groups in accessing services. NHS England is responsible for commissioning NHS sight tests. NHS England advises it is currently looking at the accessibility issues those with learning disabilities may face and is considering similar work in the future on the impact of homelessness on accessibility.