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mportant NHSE update: Sight testing & Dispensing in special educational settings

25 October 2024

NHS England has published the Sight Testing and Dispensing and Dental Checks in Special Educational Settings Prior Information Notice (PIN) and associated documents on Contracts Finder and  Find a Tender.

The PIN reads: “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.”

The PIN encourages Interested suppliers to attend a market engagement webinar for more information, dates as follows (linked to NHS regions):

Southwest: Tuesday 3 December, 1-2pm
Any contractors, optometrists or dispensing opticians interested in delivering the service locally should attend the event.

Full registration instructions are found on Contracts Finder and  Find a Tender; please note deadline for form completion of Monday 18 November, 12 noon.

NHS England plan to also host a virtual supplier procurement session on 11 December 12-13:00 for suppliers new to the tendering process.

Look out for reminders and further updates in LOCSU bulletins.

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