Booking an appointment
Full diagnostic assessments: I have an online booking system which enables you to choose an available slot and pay the deposit, and I can send you a link to this once we've established that I'm the right type of professional to help you and once we know that there are no significant visual difficulties that should first be explored by an optometrist. Please either call me on 01342 714065 to discuss how I can help or email/send a message through my website providing me with some context.
Screenings: Please phone me on 01342 714065 to book as the appointment will need to be booked manually and not through my online booking system. Otherwise, email/send a message through my website with some context and your phone number so that I can phone you.
Prior to the assessment
Full diagnostic assessments: Once the appointment's booked, I'll ask you to complete a questionnaire and return it to me at least 14 days before the assessment date. There may be questionnaires for others to complete too, such as a school/college questionnaire if I'm seeing your child. I'll ask you to send this onto the SENCo/class teacher and ask that it's either sent back to you to forward onto me or it's shared with us both at the same time. Those being assessed need to have had an eyesight test in the 2 years leading up to the assessment date.
Screenings: I'll ask you to complete a short form to return to me at least 48 hours before the screening takes place. The school/college does not need to complete any paperwork.
Everyone: I appreciate that having an appointment with someone unfamiliar can be rather daunting and therefore I offer a free 5-10 minute Zoom 'hello' in the days just beforehand so the person who's seeing me can say 'hello', ask questions, etc.
You'll receive an email the weekend before the appointment with a few gentle reminders, such as what to bring. There'll be an attachment for children and young people which has a photo of me and some friendly information about what to expect.
On the day of the assessment or screening
If you're a parent, you're welcome to pop in to see my dining room which is where I assess. You can then return 2 hours later (if your child is having a full diagnostic assessment) or 50 minutes later (if having a screening). Alternatively, you're welcome to stay in your car or in my garden. As well as outdoor seating areas, I have an insulated, heated outdoor garden cabin for parents to use. This has a comfy sofa, an Alexa for music/the radio and a TV with a FireStick where you can watch Netflix, BBC iPlayer, etc.
The photos below may be helpful for you/your child to see my dining room, my garden cabin, etc.
Please scroll through the photos
Afterwards
Full diagnostic assessments: I offer immediate verbal feedback to explain my conclusion. For parents, this can be in person (in my dining room, my garden, by your car or on my doorstep) or later on in the day (over a phone call or in a brief email). Those age 18+ can choose whether to hear the feedback alone or with someone else. I send reports and referral letters within 14 days of the assessment to only those named on them (or those with parental responsibility if under the age of 18) irrespective of who pays.
Screenings: I'll offer brief verbal feedback on the day and then send you the short report within 7 days.