Easy Eye Care services demonstrated to local MP in Greater Manchester

The work of the Easy Eye Care pathway was demonstrated to James Frith MP during a practice visit at Leighton’s Optometrists in Ramsbottom.

Frith is the MP for Bury North, and was hosted by learning disability charity SeeAbility during the practice visit.

During the visit, Frith was able to see firsthand the work underway to improve eye care for people with learning disabilities and autism in his constituency.

The NHS-funded Easy Eye Care pathway sees local optometrists take on longer or multiple appointments for patients with learning disabilities and autism.

Optometry practices are also funded to make adjustments that this patient group might require.

The pathway was initially developed by the Local Optical Committee Support Unit, with support from stakeholders including SeeAbility and Mencap, in 2013. It was refreshed in 2020.

Leighton’s Optometrists is a family-owned independent practice, owned by optometrist Suleman Atcha. It has been part of the Ramsbottom community since 1994.

During the visit, Atcha demonstrated the adjustments that the practice is able to make as part of its Easy Eye Care service.

Atcha said: “We are really proud of all the services we offer to the local community at Leighton’s, and taking part in the Easy Eye Care service is our most recent venture in supporting the NHS locally to make better use of opticians.

“We spot things early that can actually save a person’s sight or may help a carer or supporter understand what the person can see.”

He added: “For people with learning disabilities who might not be able to say [that] there is a problem, these are some of the reasons this service is so vital.”

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Promoting the Easy Eye Care Pathway to patients and practices

Trevor Hunter, eye care pathway co‑ordinator at SeeAbility, and Trang Dinh, learning disability and autism specialist prescribing adviser at South East London Integrated Care System, on getting patients and practices on board with the Easy Eye Care Pathway

Frith also met Rebecca Lunness, a SeeAbility eye care champion and one of his constituents.

The charity’s eye care champions raise awareness, provide information, and campaign for better services for people with learning disabilities – a group that are statistically more likely than their peers to have sight problems.

Lunness said: “I really enjoyed talking about the work we are doing as eye care champions to make eye care more accessible.

“Adults with a learning disability, like myself, are 10 times more likely to have a serious sight problem than other people, so having easy read information and appointments with opticians that have had additional training is really important.”

She added: “It was really great to meet James, as my local MP.”

Eye care champions in the north west helped support the commissioning of the Easy Eye Care service in Greater Manchester. Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board was one of the first in the country to commission the service.

Individuals with learning disabilities or autism can self-refer to the service, or can be referred by a carer, family member, GP, advocacy group, local learning disability team, mainstream SEND provision, community eye care clinic, or the hospital eye service.

Frith said: “I am thrilled that this service is available in my constituency. Many people with learning disabilities can struggle to find the right eye care.

“Rebecca and SeeAbility are doing a fantastic job in raising awareness and ensuring appropriate adjustments are implemented, with wonderful support from local opticians and eye care bodies.”

There are only a few areas in the country that are providing the Easy Eye Care pathway, Frith noted.

“We really want to see more areas adopt what Bury is doing, as everyone deserves an equal right to sight and support,” he added.

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Primary Eyecare Services refreshes referral pathway for Easy Eye Care service

The Single Point of Access referral pathway support patients with learning disabilities to access the Easy Eye Care services

Lead image: Pictured outside Leighton’s Optometrists, Bury, are James Frith MP; SeeAbility eye care champion, Rebecca Lunness; Leighton’s Optometrists practice owner, Suleman Atcha; clinical director of Primary Eyecare Services, Wendy Craven, and Hannah Hunt.