A GROUND-BREAKING programme of eyecare, operating in Warrington and Halton, received praise from Health Minister Alistair Burt in a debate in the House of Commons this week.
Warrington MP David Mowat cited the work being done by Warrington & Halton Hospitals’ Orthoptics team as a “Centre of Excellence” in the region and urged the Government to consider using it as a national model during a Commons debate on the provision of eye tests in special schools.
Many children with learning difficulties also have undiagnosed or unmanaged eye problems which make learning even more difficult.
Even when problems are identified, the experience of attending a hospital or high street optician can be stressful to children with special educational needs.
The team at Warrington have devised a programme which involves eye problems being both identified and treated on the school premises.
Speaking after the debate, Mr Mowat added: “The work being done at Warrington Hospital is making a real difference to children’s lives and I hope that other areas will look to replicate it.
“There is a real lack of provision for this sort of service across the country and, where it does exist, it is being carried out by charities rather than being directly funded by the NHS.
“I hope that the Government do provide firmer direction on this issue so that it is one less thing for the parents of special needs children to have to deal with.”
