We at Vision Care for Homeless People (VCHP) are pleased to announce that our brand-new clinic is now open and accepting bookings for free eye tests and spectacles.
We are based at the Crisis Skylight building on Canongate in Edinburgh, located on their purpose-built wellbeing floor. We have a dedicated eye test and dispensing room which has some of the latest diagnostic equipment like you would see in a high street practice.
We need your help now to spread the word about this amazing service, which VCHP with our partners Specsavers has brought to Edinburgh, in what is our first clinic in Scotland.
We can see anyone who is unable to access high street services for whatever reason, not just those at risk of or experiencing homelessness. We can see patients either under the NHS if they are eligible or charitably, so no one will pay for either an eye test or spectacles. We can also see those with no recourse to public funds.
As you know, people experiencing homelessness often fail to engage successfully with health services, leaving medical conditions undiagnosed and untreated. Their health is often neglected, exacerbating poor outcomes across the board, higher attendance at Accident and Emergency and little in the way of preventive healthcare.
Of most concern is that people affected by homelessness suffer significantly poorer eye health than the general population and frequently go for long periods without glasses correction.
People affected by homelessness face multiple barriers to accessing eye care. For 20 years, VCHP alongside leaders within the optical industry has been calling for reforms to the General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) contracts through which the NHS delivers eye care to the public.
The clinic runs every Monday from 10.30 – 2.30pm. If you require any further information please contact me, or to book an appointment for one of your service users please see below.
Clinic Day: Every Monday by appointment only
Time: 10.30–14.30
Telephone: 0131 209 7700
Email: edinburgh@crisis.org.uk
