Optician is keeping my NHS voucher is this legal?

wealdroam

What I was trying to say was...

Start again.

Go to an optician where you like the glasses.

Because you are over 60, you are entitled to free eye test.

Get a free eye test.

As suggested here, ask this optician about vouchers...

When you go for your sight test, tell the optician if you are entitled to a free NHS sight test and ask for form GOS1 to apply for it.
If you have a valid HC3 certificate, show it to the optician and ask if you are entitled to any help with the cost of your private sight test. You apply for this help on form GOS5.
If you are entitled to an optical voucher, ask about this when you have your sight test.

lemonpopcorn

Silversam wrote: »

I recently had an eye test with D&A and I made it clear I would not wish to buy their glasses. I wish my prescription to shop elsewhere. Unfortunately I am being fobbed off with poor excuses. The prescription needs "signed" by the optician. "He is not here, and he will be back in 4 weeks" Would anyone accept that in any other industry? No. I need to see, so I want my prescription so I can go to another place. Do I have a right to choose.

So far, I have felt pressure and annoyance. I am not being listened to. I have left the shop without my prescription. What can I do? Thanks for replies in advance.

hi, no they are not allowed to keep it,

After the sight test the optician must legally give you your spectacle prescription (whether new or unchanged) or a statement saying that you did not need a prescription. This statement will also say if you are being referred to your GP or ophthalmic hospital.

from http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/opticians/Pages/NHSopticians.aspx

go back in tell them you've taken legal advice and you are not leaving without your prescription, might be worth also taking phone number of your local newspaper with you along with a mobile and if they still refuse then phone the newspaper in front of them
think that might get you your prescription

hope this helps

[Deleted User]

Hi.

D&A are now part of Boots, so a call you Boots customer service might do the trick.

You are entitled to receive your Rx (prescription) however there is nothing to say that you need a copy to purchase glasses elsewhere, there is nothing to stop the shop where you wish to buy your specs from calling D&A and asking for the Rx to be faxed over or given over the phone.

If you don't get this resolved then you can always raise the issue with the General Optical Council.

(From memory over 60's are only entitled to ONE free eye test every two years, unless a medial or optical condition requires you to be tested more frequently. If you did claim a 2nd 'free' test knowing that you had already been tested this would be viewed as the NHS as fraud (IMO))

Good luck.

Good luck.

Hintza

From listening to that radio programme even if you get the prescription it doesn't need to have some vital information on it. So whoever you take it to might not be able to fulfill the prescription.

Is it just me that thinks this is an example of using the expertise of someone only to then go and buy elswhere? If you want a service surely you have to be willing to pay for it.

Way of the world now I suppose.

mishkanorman

any other reputable optician shouldnt take a prescription over the phone, the regulations over that were changed when i still worked in one.

The OP has the right to a voucher and their prescription, if asking nicely doesnt work I would phone head office and demand that it be ready and waiting when you get back to the store.

Im amazed an opticians would be making such an error, is it the same person you speak to each time ? maybe they are just a total jobsworth??

LittleVoice

rugbyscottie wrote: »

Hi.
(From memory over 60's are only entitled to ONE free eye test every two years, unless a medial or optical condition requires you to be tested more frequently.

That's true in England. It is likely to be the case in Scotland too.

bubblesbonbon

rugbyscottie wrote: »

Hi.


If you don't get this resolved then you can always raise the issue with the General Optical Council.

Good advice from rugbyscottie.

Once had a runaround between two opticians - incorrect prescription from one, serviced by the other so I took a copy of the "how to complain booklet" from the General Optical Council to the first and said " It says in here .."

Matter resolved in seconds

You can download a copy from here (Good advice on here too)

http://www.optical.org/en/our_work/Investigating_complaints/How_to_make_a_complaint/index.cfm

Takoda

Can't help but I had an eye test at D&A and they gave me my prescription there and then. I didn't buy from them because I had some frames that I loved and wanted the new lenses to be put in those frames. D&A wouldn't do that - if I'd got lenses from them I would've had to buy new frames. Reason they gave

"If we send your glasses away to have new lenses put in they're not insured unless you bought the frames from us!!!" What a pile of poo!!! They just want to make money out of people. Needless to say I took my prescription elsewhere.

agrinnall

LittleVoice wrote: »

That's true in England. It is likely to be the case in Scotland too.

In Scotland eye tests are free for EVERYONE, as far as I know you could have one every day of the year if you want to.

cajef

agrinnall wrote: »

In Scotland eye tests are free for EVERYONE, as far as I know you could have one every day of the year if you want to.

I would check the website if I where you

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/09/28093125/1

If you're under 16, or you're 60 or over, you can have a free NHS eye examination once a year, if needed.
If you're between 16 and 59, you can have a free NHS eye examination once every two years, if needed.