Sensory Checks in Special Educational Settings
11 November 2024
NHS England has published a 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.
Interested suppliers are encouraged to attend a market engagement webinar which will provide further information on the proposed service. These events are due to be held on the following dates:
• 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
Please note that attendance is limited to a maximum of two participants per organisation and registration with the NHSE team is essential prior to the event to secure a place. Register your interest through the Atamis e-sourcing portal https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome. and complete either the sight testing or dental registration information form. Please upload to the portal by Monday 18 November, 12 noon.
NHS England are also planning to hold a virtual supplier procurement session which will look at public sector procurement and how to use Atamis on 11 December 12-13:00. This session will be useful for those suppliers new to the tendering process. This session will also be recorded and uploaded to Atamis.
To register an interest in responding to this market engagement exercise and obtain further information regarding this project please go to: http://health.atamis.co.uk. All communications will be conducted via Atamis. The portal can be accessed at any time of the day and it is free to register.
This notice signals the intention to conduct an information gathering exercise only. This notice does not constitute a call for competition in its own right. Publication of this notice and/ or any responses to it does not commit NHS England and/ or respondents to undertaking or participating in any future procurement process, nor does it provide any process exemptions or preferential treatment to any parties
You can access the PIN and associated documents via the following links:
Contract Finder Notice – NHS Sight Testing and Dental Checks in Special Educational Settings – Contracts Finder
Find a Tender Notice – NHS Sight Testing and Dental Checks in Special Educational Settings – Find a Tender
***ICB toolkit CYP SEND sight testing service specification***
Wiltshire LOC Latest News
OFNC update on delays: 2025/26 fees, Pre-reg and CPD grants
The following statement was released by OFNC: Primary eye care providers have been in touch to ask for updates on fees and when they can claim CPD grants. Since the last update on 20 March, OFNC has been in discussions with NHS England about the data it was using to propose 2025/26 fees. The OFNC had …
Continue reading “OFNC update on delays: 2025/26 fees, Pre-reg and CPD grants”
17 November 2025
SpaMedica CPD Event – OCT Interpretation – 19 November 2025
SpaMedica Swindon are hosting a CPD evening focused on OCT interpretation. CPD Points: 3 (SpaMedica is registered with the GOC as a CPD provider) Presenter: Aesha Chauhan, Regional Optometrist Lead Audience: Optometrists, Specialty Optometrists (AS/SP/IP), and Dispensing Opticians Learning Domains: Practical guidance on interpreting OCT scans Exploration of commonly occurring pathologies identified via OCT Case-based …
Continue reading “SpaMedica CPD Event – OCT Interpretation – 19 November 2025”
17 November 2025
Wiltshire LOC News – CPD Events
Wiltshire LOC love to keep you informed of the latest CPD events on offer to you. This month Practice Plus Group are offering two events as follows: 1. Review of Common Macular Diseases Date & Time: Tuesday 18 November 2025, 6.30pm – 7.45pm Location: Online via Teams CPD Points: 1 Course Overview: This session will provide a comprehensive …
Continue reading “Wiltshire LOC News – CPD Events”
11 November 2025
Emergency and Urgent Referrals to Salisbury District Hospital
Please be aware that when referring urgent or emergency patients to Salisbury District Hospital, if a patient needs to be seen in less than a week, they must be referred as an emergency in order to be triaged within the appropriate timeframe. Once you have submitted your CUES episode with the assessment outcome as ‘Emergency …
Continue reading “Emergency and Urgent Referrals to Salisbury District Hospital”
3 October 2025
Wiltshire LOC News – CPD and Research Opportunities
Dear Colleagues, Wiltshire LOC continues to champion professional development and patient-centred care. This month’s highlights include a CPD session on inclusive practice, a research survey on glaucoma referrals, and a hospital open day celebrating innovation in cataract services. Glaucoma Referral Practices – Research Survey Primary care optometrists in the Salisbury District Hospital catchment area are …
Continue reading “Wiltshire LOC News – CPD and Research Opportunities”
29 September 2025
National Eye Health Week – Day 3: Eyes at work
Whether you’re behind a desk, on the road, or working outdoors, your eyes are working just as hard as you are. Today, Wiltshire LOC joins the nationwide campaign to spotlight the importance of protecting your vision in the workplace. Why Eyes at Work Matter From screen glare and poor lighting to airborne irritants and eye …
Continue reading “National Eye Health Week – Day 3: Eyes at work”
24 September 2025
National Eye Health Week 22-28 September 2025
Dear Colleagues, National Eye Health Week 2025 – Vision Matters This week marks the start of National Eye Health Week (22–28 September), and Wiltshire LOC is proud to support the nationwide Vision Matters campaign, raising awareness of the importance of good eye health and regular sight tests. Why Vision Matters Sight is our most precious sense, yet many …
Continue reading “National Eye Health Week 22-28 September 2025”
22 September 2025
Clinical Assessment Service (CAS) Alert – Zaditen Recall
A Clinical Assessment Service (CAS) alert has been issued impacting Zaditen eye drops. Please share this alert with clinicians within your practice. CAS Alert Zaditen
28 August 2025
LOCSU Latest news
OFNC Statement: NHS disregards evidence and imposes more real terms cuts on GOS
Today the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has confirmed it will impose yet more real terms cuts on NHS primary eyecare services. GOS1 fees will rise by just 2.5% to £24.13 for financial year 2025/26. All other payments and grants will be frozen at 2024/25 levels. This follows a freezing of patient benefits (NHS voucher values) … Continue reading “OFNC Statement: NHS disregards evidence and imposes more real terms cuts on GOS”
8 December 2025