Tell us: Are you getting the eye care you need?

News - 30 July 2024

Complete the Healthwatch short survey and tell the NHS if you're getting the right help to prevent or deal with sight problems.
A child looks through eye test lenses.

Healthy vision is something many of us take for granted – until there's a problem.

An estimated 50% of sight loss is avoidable. That's why people must be able to have their eyesight tested regularly and, if there is a problem, get the help they need.

But can people get the right eye care? You can help answer this question by completing our short survey.  

Share your experiences to improve eye care services

Healthwatch England is undertaking a project about understanding people’s experiences of optometry and ophthalmology, working with local Healthwatch to hear people’s on-the-ground experiences of eye care services.

Healthwatch will use your feedback to help identify what's working well and whether any changes could improve the care people get.

We will ask you about your experience of eye care services in the last two years, including individuals who have in the past or are currently waiting for any specialist eye care treatment.

What do we want to know?

The survey asks you several questions to find out:

  • Are you getting your eyesight checked, and do you face any barriers?
  • If you have been for an eye test or had other eye care, what was your experience like?


Why is this important?

Your views are vital to helping Government and NHS managers understand what's working and what they need to fix.

Take the Eye Care Survey

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'If you need medical help this bank holiday, the NHS is still here for you.

Reminder of healthcare options ahead of the August bank holiday.

With the August bank holiday fast approaching, people in Cheshire and Merseyside are reminded to plan ahead by ordering any repeat prescriptions they may need and know what to do if they or a family member becomes unwell.
The NHS is advising that repeat prescriptions should be ordered seven days ahead of the bank holiday to allow enough time for prescriptions to be processed and for any potential issues to be addressed before the holidays.

Using the NHS App is the quickest and easiest way to order repeat prescriptions at a time that is convenient to you, and it puts you in greater control of your own health. You can also use it to choose which pharmacy you’d like your medication to be sent to, and to track the progress of your order.

eople are also being urged to make sure they know how to access urgent care – in case they or a loved need help over the bank holiday weekend, and to support the safe and timely discharge of loved ones who are ready to leave hospital.



NHS Cheshire and Merseyside’s Associate Medical Director for Primary Care, Dr Jonathan Griffiths, is urging people to use NHS 111 for urgent medical help and advice for non-life-threatening conditions.



"We want to remind people that our hospitals can often become very busy over a long bank holiday weekend when other health services are closed.



“To help us ensure that our busy ambulance services and hospital A&E departments are kept free for those who need them most – we are reminding people to make NHS 111 their first point of call for all non-life-threatening healthcare treatment and advice or medical help if you're not sure where to go.”



“The NHS 111 service offers advice and support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Simply visit 111.nhs.uk or use the NHS app. You can also dial 111 if it’s for someone under five or if you’re unable to use the online service. You should still call 999 or go straight to A&E in an emergency situation when someone is seriously ill or injured, and you think their life may be at risk.



“NHS 111 will help you get the right advice and treatment when you urgently need it. Depending on our situation they can arrange for a nurse, doctor, or paramedic to ring you back, or book you an appointment at a local pharmacy, urgent treatment centre, or hospital A&E department if needed.”



For advice and treatment for minor health concerns, people can also use the ‘Pharmacy First’ service which allows pharmacists to assess and treat patients for common conditions - without the need for a GP appointment or prescription first.



Simply drop in to your local pharmacy and ask for advice – but do remember to call ahead to check their bank holiday opening hours. Search for your nearest pharmacy and opening times at: www.nhs.uk/find-a-pharmacy



Parents and carers are also reminded that if a child is unwell, you can visit the Alder Hey online symptom checker for helpful advice on how to treat your child at home, and when to seek further medical help. Go to: www.alderhey.nhs.uk/conditions/symptoms-checker


More information about options for urgent care is available at: www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care-services
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