People across Bath, North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire can access urgent eyecare, free of charge and close to home by calling 0300 303 4922 Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm, or by visiting the Urgent Eye Care website.

The brand new service means that high-street opticians can offer free treatment advice and management for urgent eye conditions such as a red or painful eye, foreign body, sudden change in vision, or sudden onset of flashes and floaters which may suggest retinal detachment.

Anyone, whatever age and whether registered with an optician or not, can access treatment for any new or worsening urgent eye conditions.

This is a temporary service set up as a result of concerns that many patients were not seeking treatment for eye conditions due to worries about exposing themselves to COVID-19 by visiting A&E departments or their GP.

The Priority Services Register (PSR) is a free UK wide service which provides extra advice and support, including when there is an interruption to your electricity, gas or water supply. 

You are eligible if you: 

• have reached your state pension age 
• are disabled or have a long-term medical condition
• are recovering from an injury
• have a hearing or sight condition
• have a mental health condition
• are pregnant or have young children
• have extra communication needs (such as if you don't speak or read English well) 
• need to use medical equipment that requires a power supply
• have poor or no sense of smell 
• would struggle to answer the door or get help in an emergency 

If you have a different reason and want to see if you are eligible, or if you are eligible and want to register, follow this link to find out more.