"Eye Orthoptist IW Clinic / refraction appointments"

Have had 2 children so far go through this service at the nhs Isle of Wight trust, The 1st one was smooth sailing with no issues. However with my 2nd child has been a little bit of a nightmare.

Last year she missed some appointments through ill health, it was absolutely impossible to get hold of anyone to say that we wouldn't be making these appointments. Believe me I tried and tried to no end. She got discharged through not showing, it took a week of me constantly phoning to finally get hold of somebody! To explain and have her seen again.

There was also an extremely long wait for a refraction test so she could have a new pair of glasses. So long I decided to go private which was Agreed with by the orthotics. She again was seen a couple of times in the clinic And all was well. She had An appointment cancelled by yourself because of covid 19 which is completely understandable. And then we had another one sent through which was all fine. How ever We ended up in isolation as one of my children had COVID-19 symptoms which meant none of us were allowed out let alone to a hospital. And here the problems starts again!

Can I get through to explain why she is unable to attend an appointment? Even days after can not get through to anybody. Eventually a letter Turns up Explaining because Phoebe did not show for her appointment That she would have to wait until February 2021 To have the refraction test for her new glasses.... And that a further General service with orthoptist has been said. firstly I hadn't even realised that she had a refraction test because last year was told she couldn't have one until she had a general appointment with the orthoptist... we didn't even have the letter or eye drops?

Not that it matters anyway, we wouldn't have been allowed to show up at the hospital with Possible covid in our household.

I have now booked my daughter in privately in an opticians AGAIN and have finally got Through to have her discharged. I was given the advice to send a letter instead next time.... I thought as I don't have a crystal ball and can't give a week's advance notice in a letter that my child is going to be ill? I thought that was pretty laughable.

Absolutely awful service! Told to let them know if I can't make any appointments ASAP but nobody is there to answer the phones and then I get penalized when we don't show up..