Stamford and Rutland's refugees reminded that free eye care is available
It follows a number of Ukrainians arriving in Leicestershire with missing or broken glasses
A Rutland opticians wants to remind people that free eye care is available at all NHS registered practices for refugees.
It's after reports from hosts in Leicestershire that some Ukrainian refugees were arriving with broken or missing glasses.
A duty of care
James Alexander, from Simmons Optometrists in Oakham, says there's still a backlog in causal appointments due to the pandemic, but any refugee with an urgent issue or emergency can be quickly seen to.
'Any refugee from Ukraine, Yemen, Syria, anywhere, should be entitled to free NHS eyecare. Within a couple of weeks of being in the country they should have some paperwork, but if they have a problem before that we can put through a test', James said.
'Anyone in the current situation wants to do anything they can to help. It's good that we have the ability to offer these services, and we're certainly as keen as anyone just to do whatever we can to help.'