---
title: Frequently Asked Questions | HomeSight
description: Plain-English answers about home eye tests, hearing care, NHS eligibility and what to expect from a HomeSight home visit.
image: https://homesightonline.co.uk/hubfs/brand/homesight-social-share.png
---
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[0800 080 6095](tel:08000806095) [info@homesightonline.co.uk](mailto:info@homesightonline.co.uk) Mon–Fri 09:00 – 17:00
[ ](https://homesightonline.co.uk/)
Eye care
[Home eye tests A full one-hour examination in your own home](https://homesightonline.co.uk/eye-care) [NHS home eye tests Free if you qualify. Check the criteria](https://homesightonline.co.uk/nhs-home-eye-tests) [Care home eye care Visits for residents, reported to your team](https://homesightonline.co.uk/care-homes)
Hearing care
[Home hearing tests Free screening, full assessment at home](https://homesightonline.co.uk/hearing-care) [Hearing aids at home Tested, fitted and followed up at home](https://homesightonline.co.uk/hearing-aids-at-home) [Earwax removal at home Microsuction by an audiologist, at home](https://homesightonline.co.uk/earwax-removal-at-home) [Hearing aid help Cleaning, repairs and servicing at home](https://homesightonline.co.uk/hearing-aid-help)
Who we help
[Families and carers Arranging care for a parent or relative](https://homesightonline.co.uk/for-families) [Care homes Over 300 homes across the South East](https://homesightonline.co.uk/care-homes) [Areas we visit London, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Surrey and more](https://homesightonline.co.uk/areas-we-visit)
About
[About HomeSight An NHS-contracted home eye care provider since 2010](https://homesightonline.co.uk/about) [News and articles Guides to eye and hearing care at home](https://homesightonline.co.uk/news-and-articles) [FAQs Answers to the questions we are asked most](https://homesightonline.co.uk/faqs) [Contact Call, email, or ask for a call back](https://homesightonline.co.uk/contact)
[Book a home visit](https://homesightonline.co.uk/book-a-home-visit) [Prefer to call 0800 080 6095](tel:08000806095)
[Home](https://homesightonline.co.uk/) › FAQs
Frequently asked questions
# Everything we get asked, in plain English.
Search by topic or browse the questions below. If you cannot find what you need, call our team and we will talk you through the right next step.
✕
[NHS & eligibility 10 questions](https://homesightonline.co.uk/faqs#g-eligibility-fq_explorer) [Eye tests & glasses 12 questions](https://homesightonline.co.uk/faqs#g-eye-fq_explorer) [Hearing & hearing aids 10 questions](https://homesightonline.co.uk/faqs#g-ear-fq_explorer) [The home visit 8 questions](https://homesightonline.co.uk/faqs#g-visit-fq_explorer) [For care homes 6 questions](https://homesightonline.co.uk/faqs#g-care-fq_explorer) [Pricing & payment 5 questions](https://homesightonline.co.uk/faqs#g-prices-fq_explorer) [Records & privacy 4 questions](https://homesightonline.co.uk/faqs#g-records-fq_explorer) [Safeguarding 5 questions](https://homesightonline.co.uk/faqs#g-safe-fq_explorer)
No questions match that search.
Try a different keyword, or call us on [**0800 080 6095**](tel:08000806095). We'll answer it in 30 seconds.
## NHS & eligibility
10 questions
Who qualifies for a free NHS home eye test?
The NHS Sight Test scheme pays for a home eye test if a high-street test would be difficult or impossible for you. In practice, that means:
- You're unable to leave your home unaccompanied due to physical disability or mobility difficulty.
- You have a mental-health condition or dementia that makes a busy practice unsuitable.
- You're elderly and find public transport, stairs or waiting rooms unsafe or distressing.
- You live in residential care: a care home, sheltered housing or supported-living scheme.
If you're not sure, call us. Our coordinators can check in two minutes.
Do I need a GP referral to book?
For an eye test, no. You (or a relative) can ring us directly. We confirm eligibility on the call and the appointment is booked in the same conversation.
For audiology, some NHS pathways require a GP referral and some allow self-referral. We'll tell you which applies to your area when you ring.
I don't qualify on NHS, what does it cost privately?
A private home eye test is £30. A hearing screening is free; a full home hearing test is £30, and we refund that £30 if you go on to buy hearing aids from us. There's no call-out fee. Frames, lenses and hearing aids are charged at the same prices as a high-street practice.
Can I use an NHS voucher for glasses?
Yes, if you also qualify for an NHS optical voucher (most people who qualify for a free NHS sight test do). The voucher covers a frame from our NHS-voucher range and standard single-vision lenses. Upgrades (varifocals, designer frames, thinner lenses) are paid as a top-up.
I'm under 60 and don't have a disability. Can I still book?
Absolutely, privately. We're an NHS-contracted service, but we also see private patients of any age. The clinical assessment is identical; you just don't get NHS funding for the test or the voucher towards a frame.
Do you cover the whole UK?
No. We work across the South East of England: Greater London, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Berkshire and the South Midlands. [Check your postcode here](https://homesightonline.co.uk/contact#pc-input). If you're outside our patch we'll happily point you to a trusted provider in your area.
What happens if my circumstances change and I no longer qualify?
You're welcome to keep using us as a private patient. We never want a change in your health or circumstance to mean a change of clinician. The same person can keep visiting on a private basis.
Is everything you do regulated?
Yes. Our opticians are registered with the General Optical Council (GOC). Our audiologists are registered with the HCPC. We're an NHS-contracted provider and registered with the Information Commissioner's Office for data protection.
What if a family member wants to book on my behalf?
Very common and very welcome. About 70% of our bookings are made by adult children for their parents. Just ring with the patient's name, address and a brief description of why they need a home test. We'll do the rest.
Will I need to fill in forms?
There's a single NHS sight-test form (GOS6) to sign on the day. Your clinician will fill it in for you and just needs your signature. No paperwork before the visit.
## Eye tests & glasses
12 questions
How long does a home eye test take?
About an hour from setup to packing away, the same as a high-street practice. We never rush a patient through.
What equipment do you bring?
A portable LogMAR/Snellen chart, a full trial frame and lens set, a retinoscope, a direct ophthalmoscope, a portable slit lamp, and a handheld fundus camera for retinal photography. Everything fits in two cases.
Will I get the same prescription as the high street?
Yes. The standards and technique are identical. Your prescription is written on a standard GOS form and can be taken to any practice in the UK.
How long do new glasses take to arrive?
Single-vision glasses: typically 7–10 working days. Varifocals: 10–14 days. We return to your home for the fitting. There's no need to collect anything.
Can I try frames at home?
Yes. We bring a travelling collection of over 200 frames to every visit. NHS-voucher range, mid-range acetate, and premium designer styles.
Do you do varifocals?
Yes: varifocals, bifocals and single-vision. We measure heights and pupillary distance at the fitting visit to make sure the corridor is in the right place.
Do you screen for glaucoma and AMD?
Every test includes a full internal eye health check: ophthalmoscopy of the retina, optic nerve and blood vessels, and digital retinal photography. We screen for glaucoma, AMD, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts and signs of hypertension.
What if I need to be referred to the hospital?
We write to your GP within 48 hours with our findings and copies of any retinal images. Urgent referrals are made the same day.
Can I have my existing frames re-lensed?
Yes, if the frames are sound and the new lens shape will fit. We'll take the frames away with us and return them with the new lenses fitted, usually within 10 working days.
What if the glasses don't feel right?
We come back. Fittings and adjustments after the initial fitting are always free and at home. Many patients need a small frame tweak after a few days of wear. That's expected.
Do you do prescription sunglasses?
Yes, and reactions/transitions lenses too. Useful for outdoor activities or patients who are light-sensitive after cataract surgery.
How often should I have an eye test?
Most adults: every two years. Over 70, diabetic, or with a family history of glaucoma: every year. We'll remind you when you're due.
## Hearing & hearing aids
10 questions
What does a home hearing test involve?
About 90 minutes covering otoscopy (looking inside the ear), pure-tone audiometry, speech-in-noise testing and tympanometry. See [our hearing tests page](https://homesightonline.co.uk/hearing-care) for a full breakdown.
Do you provide hearing aids on the NHS?
No. Our home hearing care is a private service, so the assessments and hearing aids aren't NHS-funded. In return you get convenience and continuity: seen in your own home, usually within days, by the same audiologist throughout. Our hearing aids start from £1,147 a pair, including the assessment, fitting and 12 months of follow-ups.
How much do private hearing aids cost?
From £1,147 a pair for a receiver-in-canal model, through to £4,397 for our most advanced premium aids. All include the assessment, fitting, follow-ups for 12 months, and a 60-day money-back trial.
Can you remove ear wax at home?
Yes, by microsuction, the safer modern alternative to syringing. £80 flat for an at-home visit, including full otoscopy on both ears. Done by the same audiologist who tests your hearing.
How long does it take to get used to a hearing aid?
Usually 2–6 weeks. The brain has to relearn high frequencies it hasn't heard for years, initially this can feel "tinny." We schedule a follow-up visit at week 2 and week 6 to fine-tune the settings.
What's the difference between BTE, RIC and ITE?
Three of the most common hearing-aid styles:
- **BTE**, Behind-the-ear. Robust, powerful and easy to handle: a reliable, popular choice.
- **RIC**, Receiver-in-canal. Discreet, with the speaker inside the ear canal. Usually Bluetooth-enabled.
- **ITE**, In-the-ear. Custom-moulded for almost invisible wear. Best for mild-to-moderate loss.
How do I get hearing aids through HomeSight?
Entirely privately. There's no eligibility test or waiting list. After your home hearing assessment, if aids would help, we'll talk you through the options at the price tiers above, and you choose in your own time. Every purchase comes with a 60-day money-back trial.
What if I'm not sure whether I have hearing loss?
The hearing test itself tells us. If we find your hearing is normal, we'll say so, and you'll have a baseline audiogram for future reference. About 1 in 6 of our first-time hearing assessments come back as "normal for age."
Do hearing aids work for tinnitus?
Often, yes, particularly when tinnitus is paired with hearing loss. Restoring high-frequency hearing tends to reduce the brain's reliance on the phantom signal. Some modern aids also have built-in tinnitus masking sounds.
Can you service hearing aids I bought elsewhere?
Usually, yes. Most major brands. Re-tubing, cleaning, troubleshooting and re-programming where we have the manufacturer's software. We charge a fixed £45 visit fee for non-HomeSight aids.
## The home visit
8 questions
How do I know the clinician is genuine?
You'll get a confirmation letter or email with your clinician's name and photo before the visit. They'll arrive with a HomeSight ID badge with their GOC/HCPC registration number. You're welcome to check that number on the public register.
Can a relative or carer be present?
Absolutely, and we'd encourage it. Many patients prefer it, particularly during the discussion at the end. We can also send a written summary to a named family member or carer.
What space do you need?
A table (kitchen, dining or coffee), a comfortable chair, and a quiet room you can dim slightly for the eye-health check. About a 3-metre line of sight for the distance chart.
What if I'm bed-bound?
We can carry out a bedside eye test using portable kit. Audiology tests can also be done bedside. Routine in care homes and for hospice patients.
Will the eye drops sting?
We rarely use dilating drops for a routine home test, modern handheld imaging lets us see the retina without dilating. If we do use drops (occasionally for a fuller examination), they sting briefly and blur vision for a couple of hours.
What if I need to cancel or rearrange?
Just ring us, 24 hours' notice is appreciated but never essential. No cancellation fee, ever.
Do you work evenings or weekends?
Our office hours are Monday to Friday, 9 to 5. We do offer a small number of early-evening slots (until 7pm) for working family members who want to be present for a parent's visit. Ask when you book.
Do you carry a card reader?
Yes, for private-test payments and any frame/lens upgrades. We accept all major debit and credit cards, contactless and Apple/Google Pay. We never ask for card details on the phone.
## For care homes
6 questions
What does a care-home partnership involve?
We schedule routine eye and hearing visits at a frequency that suits your home (typically quarterly, six-monthly or annual). You get a single named coordinator and visit reports within 48 hours. See [our care-homes page](https://homesightonline.co.uk/care-homes).
Does it cost the home anything?
No. The service is free of charge to the home. Eligible residents' NHS sight tests are NHS-funded; we cover the visit costs for everyone else from our private-test revenue.
Are your clinicians dementia-trained?
Yes. Every clinician and coordinator completes mandatory training in dementia care, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and best-interest decision-making. Refreshed annually.
What about CQC inspections?
Our visit reports are designed with CQC inspectors in mind. Each resident gets a signed visit summary suitable for filing in their care plan, plus a summary register for the whole home.
Can you add residents between scheduled rounds?
Yes, new admissions are picked up at the next quarterly visit, or sooner if clinically urgent. No extra paperwork from your team.
Do you cover nursing homes as well as residential care?
Yes: nursing homes, residential care, sheltered housing, supported-living schemes and palliative-care units. The pathway adjusts to each setting; for nursing residents we coordinate closely with the nurse-in-charge.
## Pricing & payment
5 questions
Is there a call-out fee?
Never. Whether you're an NHS or private patient, there's no charge for the visit itself beyond the headline test fee.
How do I pay for private tests or upgrades?
At the end of the visit, by card on a portable reader. No invoices, no chasing letters.
Do you do payment plans for premium hearing aids?
Yes. We offer 0% interest over 12 months on premium hearing aids over £1,000, subject to status. We use a regulated third-party finance provider.
Can I get a refund if I'm not happy with my hearing aids?
Yes, every private hearing-aid purchase comes with a 60-day money-back trial. If you're not satisfied, return them within 60 days for a full refund (less a £50 fitting fee).
Do you offer concessions for low-income patients?
If you're on Pension Credit, Universal Credit (income-related), Income Support or Income-related ESA, you automatically qualify for an NHS Sight Test and may qualify for an NHS optical voucher. Bring evidence and we'll process it for you.
## Records & privacy
4 questions
Who can see my records?
Only you, your clinical team, and anyone you explicitly nominate (a relative, carer or care-home manager). We never share data with insurers or commercial third parties.
Can I get a copy of my records?
Yes: free, within one calendar month, under your UK GDPR Subject Access Right. Just email [dpo@homesightonline.co.uk](mailto:dpo@homesightonline.co.uk) with proof of identity.
How long do you keep records?
Adult patient clinical records: 10 years after last contact, in line with NHS guidance. After this, they are securely destroyed.
What about retinal images?
Stored on UK-hosted, ISO 27001-certified servers. Encrypted in transit and at rest. We provide them as part of any Subject Access Request.
## Safeguarding
5 questions
Are all your staff DBS-checked?
Yes: every clinician and every coordinator holds an enhanced DBS check, renewed every three years. We won't visit without it.
What if a patient lacks capacity to consent?
We follow the Mental Capacity Act 2005. If a patient can't consent, we work with a lasting power of attorney, family or care-home manager to make a best-interest decision. Everything is documented.
How do I raise a safeguarding concern?
Speak to our safeguarding lead Eleanor Hughes directly on [0800 080 6095](tel:08000806095) or email [safeguarding@homesightonline.co.uk](mailto:safeguarding@homesightonline.co.uk). Concerns are acknowledged within 24 hours.
Can I have the same clinician each visit?
Yes. We try hard for continuity, especially for patients with dementia or anxiety. About 90% of repeat visits in a year are by the same clinician.
What if I want to make a complaint?
Email [feedback@homesightonline.co.uk](mailto:feedback@homesightonline.co.uk) or write to Eleanor Hughes at our head office. We acknowledge complaints within 3 working days and respond fully within 20. If you're unhappy with our response, you can escalate to the GOC, HCPC or NHS England.
## Still didn't find what you were looking for?
Our coordinators answer the phone Monday to Friday 9 to 5. They're the ones who wrote most of these answers in the first place, and they'll happily talk through anything we missed.
[0800 080 6095](tel:08000806095) [Send a message](https://homesightonline.co.uk/contact)
?
Your home-visiting optician and audiologist. NHS-funded home eye care and private ear-wax removal & hearing care, delivered to your door across London, the South East and the South Midlands.
### Explore
- [About](https://homesightonline.co.uk/about)
- [Eye Care](https://homesightonline.co.uk/eye-care)
- [Hearing Care](https://homesightonline.co.uk/hearing-care)
- [Care Homes](https://homesightonline.co.uk/care-homes)
### More
- [News and Articles](https://homesightonline.co.uk/news-and-articles)
- [Careers](https://homesightonline.co.uk/careers)
- [FAQs](https://homesightonline.co.uk/faqs)
- [Contact](https://homesightonline.co.uk/contact)
- [Feedback & Complaints](https://homesightonline.co.uk/feedback-and-complaints)
- [Privacy & Terms](https://homesightonline.co.uk/privacy)
### Contact
[**0800 080 6095**](tel:08000806095) Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00 Outside these hours, leave your details and the team will get back to you as soon as we are back in the office.
[info@homesightonline.co.uk](mailto:info@homesightonline.co.uk)
261 Hale End Road,
Woodford Green IG8 9NB
**Areas we cover:** London, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Berkshire and the South Midlands. Don't see your area? [Get in touch](https://homesightonline.co.uk/contact).
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"text" : "About 90 minutes covering otoscopy (looking inside the ear), pure-tone audiometry, speech-in-noise testing and tympanometry. See our hearing tests page for a full breakdown."
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"acceptedAnswer" : {
"@type" : "Answer",
"text" : "From £1,147 a pair for a receiver-in-canal model, through to £4,397 for our most advanced premium aids. All include the assessment, fitting, follow-ups for 12 months, and a 60-day money-back trial."
},
"name" : "How much do private hearing aids cost?"
}, {
"@type" : "Question",
"acceptedAnswer" : {
"@type" : "Answer",
"text" : "Yes, by microsuction, the safer modern alternative to syringing. £80 flat for an at-home visit, including full otoscopy on both ears. Done by the same audiologist who tests your hearing."
},
"name" : "Can you remove ear wax at home?"
}, {
"@type" : "Question",
"acceptedAnswer" : {
"@type" : "Answer",
"text" : "Usually 2–6 weeks. The brain has to relearn high frequencies it hasn't heard for years, initially this can feel \"tinny.\" We schedule a follow-up visit at week 2 and week 6 to fine-tune the settings."
},
"name" : "How long does it take to get used to a hearing aid?"
}, {
"@type" : "Question",
"acceptedAnswer" : {
"@type" : "Answer",
"text" : "Three of the most common hearing-aid styles: BTE, Behind-the-ear. Robust, powerful and easy to handle: a reliable, popular choice. RIC, Receiver-in-canal. Discreet, with the speaker inside the ear canal. Usually Bluetooth-enabled. ITE, In-the-ear. Custom-moulded for almost invisible wear. Best for mild-to-moderate loss."
},
"name" : "What's the difference between BTE, RIC and ITE?"
}, {
"@type" : "Question",
"acceptedAnswer" : {
"@type" : "Answer",
"text" : "Entirely privately. There's no eligibility test or waiting list. After your home hearing assessment, if aids would help, we'll talk you through the options at the price tiers above, and you choose in your own time. Every purchase comes with a 60-day money-back trial."
},
"name" : "How do I get hearing aids through HomeSight?"
}, {
"@type" : "Question",
"acceptedAnswer" : {
"@type" : "Answer",
"text" : "The hearing test itself tells us. If we find your hearing is normal, we'll say so, and you'll have a baseline audiogram for future reference. About 1 in 6 of our first-time hearing assessments come back as \"normal for age.\""
},
"name" : "What if I'm not sure whether I have hearing loss?"
}, {
"@type" : "Question",
"acceptedAnswer" : {
"@type" : "Answer",
"text" : "Often, yes, particularly when tinnitus is paired with hearing loss. Restoring high-frequency hearing tends to reduce the brain's reliance on the phantom signal. Some modern aids also have built-in tinnitus masking sounds."
},
"name" : "Do hearing aids work for tinnitus?"
}, {
"@type" : "Question",
"acceptedAnswer" : {
"@type" : "Answer",
"text" : "Usually, yes. Most major brands. Re-tubing, cleaning, troubleshooting and re-programming where we have the manufacturer's software. We charge a fixed £45 visit fee for non-HomeSight aids."
},
"name" : "Can you service hearing aids I bought elsewhere?"
}, {
"@type" : "Question",
"acceptedAnswer" : {
"@type" : "Answer",
"text" : "You'll get a confirmation letter or email with your clinician's name and photo before the visit. They'll arrive with a HomeSight ID badge with their GOC/HCPC registration number. You're welcome to check that number on the public register."
},
"name" : "How do I know the clinician is genuine?"
}, {
"@type" : "Question",
"acceptedAnswer" : {
"@type" : "Answer",
"text" : "Absolutely, and we'd encourage it. Many patients prefer it, particularly during the discussion at the end. We can also send a written summary to a named family member or carer."
},
"name" : "Can a relative or carer be present?"
}, {
"@type" : "Question",
"acceptedAnswer" : {
"@type" : "Answer",
"text" : "A table (kitchen, dining or coffee), a comfortable chair, and a quiet room you can dim slightly for the eye-health check. About a 3-metre line of sight for the distance chart."
},
"name" : "What space do you need?"
}, {
"@type" : "Question",
"acceptedAnswer" : {
"@type" : "Answer",
"text" : "We can carry out a bedside eye test using portable kit. Audiology tests can also be done bedside. Routine in care homes and for hospice patients."
},
"name" : "What if I'm bed-bound?"
}, {
"@type" : "Question",
"acceptedAnswer" : {
"@type" : "Answer",
"text" : "We rarely use dilating drops for a routine home test, modern handheld imaging lets us see the retina without dilating. If we do use drops (occasionally for a fuller examination), they sting briefly and blur vision for a couple of hours."
},
"name" : "Will the eye drops sting?"
}, {
"@type" : "Question",
"acceptedAnswer" : {
"@type" : "Answer",
"text" : "Just ring us, 24 hours' notice is appreciated but never essential. No cancellation fee, ever."
},
"name" : "What if I need to cancel or rearrange?"
}, {
"@type" : "Question",
"acceptedAnswer" : {
"@type" : "Answer",
"text" : "Our office hours are Monday to Friday, 9 to 5. We do offer a small number of early-evening slots (until 7pm) for working family members who want to be present for a parent's visit. Ask when you book."
},
"name" : "Do you work evenings or weekends?"
}, {
"@type" : "Question",
"acceptedAnswer" : {
"@type" : "Answer",
"text" : "Yes, for private-test payments and any frame/lens upgrades. We accept all major debit and credit cards, contactless and Apple/Google Pay. We never ask for card details on the phone."
},
"name" : "Do you carry a card reader?"
}, {
"@type" : "Question",
"acceptedAnswer" : {
"@type" : "Answer",
"text" : "We schedule routine eye and hearing visits at a frequency that suits your home (typically quarterly, six-monthly or annual). You get a single named coordinator and visit reports within 48 hours. See our care-homes page."
},
"name" : "What does a care-home partnership involve?"
}, {
"@type" : "Question",
"acceptedAnswer" : {
"@type" : "Answer",
"text" : "No. The service is free of charge to the home. Eligible residents' NHS sight tests are NHS-funded; we cover the visit costs for everyone else from our private-test revenue."
},
"name" : "Does it cost the home anything?"
}, {
"@type" : "Question",
"acceptedAnswer" : {
"@type" : "Answer",
"text" : "Yes. Every clinician and coordinator completes mandatory training in dementia care, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and best-interest decision-making. Refreshed annually."
},
"name" : "Are your clinicians dementia-trained?"
}, {
"@type" : "Question",
"acceptedAnswer" : {
"@type" : "Answer",
"text" : "Our visit reports are designed with CQC inspectors in mind. Each resident gets a signed visit summary suitable for filing in their care plan, plus a summary register for the whole home."
},
"name" : "What about CQC inspections?"
}, {
"@type" : "Question",
"acceptedAnswer" : {
"@type" : "Answer",
"text" : "Yes, new admissions are picked up at the next quarterly visit, or sooner if clinically urgent. No extra paperwork from your team."
},
"name" : "Can you add residents between scheduled rounds?"
}, {
"@type" : "Question",
"acceptedAnswer" : {
"@type" : "Answer",
"text" : "Yes: nursing homes, residential care, sheltered housing, supported-living schemes and palliative-care units. The pathway adjusts to each setting; for nursing residents we coordinate closely with the nurse-in-charge."
},
"name" : "Do you cover nursing homes as well as residential care?"
}, {
"@type" : "Question",
"acceptedAnswer" : {
"@type" : "Answer",
"text" : "Never. Whether you're an NHS or private patient, there's no charge for the visit itself beyond the headline test fee."
},
"name" : "Is there a call-out fee?"
}, {
"@type" : "Question",
"acceptedAnswer" : {
"@type" : "Answer",
"text" : "At the end of the visit, by card on a portable reader. No invoices, no chasing letters."
},
"name" : "How do I pay for private tests or upgrades?"
}, {
"@type" : "Question",
"acceptedAnswer" : {
"@type" : "Answer",
"text" : "Yes. We offer 0% interest over 12 months on premium hearing aids over £1,000, subject to status. We use a regulated third-party finance provider."
},
"name" : "Do you do payment plans for premium hearing aids?"
}, {
"@type" : "Question",
"acceptedAnswer" : {
"@type" : "Answer",
"text" : "Yes, every private hearing-aid purchase comes with a 60-day money-back trial. If you're not satisfied, return them within 60 days for a full refund (less a £50 fitting fee)."
},
"name" : "Can I get a refund if I'm not happy with my hearing aids?"
}, {
"@type" : "Question",
"acceptedAnswer" : {
"@type" : "Answer",
"text" : "If you're on Pension Credit, Universal Credit (income-related), Income Support or Income-related ESA, you automatically qualify for an NHS Sight Test and may qualify for an NHS optical voucher. Bring evidence and we'll process it for you."
},
"name" : "Do you offer concessions for low-income patients?"
}, {
"@type" : "Question",
"acceptedAnswer" : {
"@type" : "Answer",
"text" : "Only you, your clinical team, and anyone you explicitly nominate (a relative, carer or care-home manager). We never share data with insurers or commercial third parties."
},
"name" : "Who can see my records?"
}, {
"@type" : "Question",
"acceptedAnswer" : {
"@type" : "Answer",
"text" : "Yes: free, within one calendar month, under your UK GDPR Subject Access Right. Just email dpo@homesightonline.co.uk with proof of identity."
},
"name" : "Can I get a copy of my records?"
}, {
"@type" : "Question",
"acceptedAnswer" : {
"@type" : "Answer",
"text" : "Adult patient clinical records: 10 years after last contact, in line with NHS guidance. After this, they are securely destroyed."
},
"name" : "How long do you keep records?"
}, {
"@type" : "Question",
"acceptedAnswer" : {
"@type" : "Answer",
"text" : "Stored on UK-hosted, ISO 27001-certified servers. Encrypted in transit and at rest. We provide them as part of any Subject Access Request."
},
"name" : "What about retinal images?"
}, {
"@type" : "Question",
"acceptedAnswer" : {
"@type" : "Answer",
"text" : "Yes: every clinician and every coordinator holds an enhanced DBS check, renewed every three years. We won't visit without it."
},
"name" : "Are all your staff DBS-checked?"
}, {
"@type" : "Question",
"acceptedAnswer" : {
"@type" : "Answer",
"text" : "We follow the Mental Capacity Act 2005. If a patient can't consent, we work with a lasting power of attorney, family or care-home manager to make a best-interest decision. Everything is documented."
},
"name" : "What if a patient lacks capacity to consent?"
}, {
"@type" : "Question",
"acceptedAnswer" : {
"@type" : "Answer",
"text" : "Speak to our safeguarding lead Eleanor Hughes directly on 0800 080 6095 or email safeguarding@homesightonline.co.uk. Concerns are acknowledged within 24 hours."
},
"name" : "How do I raise a safeguarding concern?"
}, {
"@type" : "Question",
"acceptedAnswer" : {
"@type" : "Answer",
"text" : "Yes. We try hard for continuity, especially for patients with dementia or anxiety. About 90% of repeat visits in a year are by the same clinician."
},
"name" : "Can I have the same clinician each visit?"
}, {
"@type" : "Question",
"acceptedAnswer" : {
"@type" : "Answer",
"text" : "Email feedback@homesightonline.co.uk or write to Eleanor Hughes at our head office. We acknowledge complaints within 3 working days and respond fully within 20. If you're unhappy with our response, you can escalate to the GOC, HCPC or NHS England."
},
"name" : "What if I want to make a complaint?"
} ]
}
```
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"@id" : "https://homesightonline.co.uk/#address",
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"streetAddress" : "261 Hale End Road"
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}, {
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},
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} ],
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```
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```
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```
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