'Vision for Life' could be national campaign

A campaign promoting children's NHS eye exams in Doncaster could expand nationally in the autumn if it is successful.

Entitled Doncaster Vision for Life, it runs from June 9 to September 1 and features posters on buses, cinema advertising and local press coverage. Leaflets on eye health and NHS eye care services will be distributed to all families in the Doncaster area.

The campaign, with backing from the Eye Health Alliance, was initiated by Doncaster LOC to address concerns that only a quarter of UK children have had an eye test in the last year. The LOC and Doncaster PCT aim to ensure that 'the number of children accessing eye care in Doncaster becomes much higher than the national average'. Alan Parkhurst, chair of Doncaster LOC, said: 'This is a great example of partnership working, not only with the PCT but with the EHA. Everyone can get involved by displaying posters in the practice and completing the evaluation form.'