Freedom Eyecare Nottingham Ltd was formed in 2015 by Ann Hamilton and Stephanie Lipsey-Liu who are optometrists with a wealth of experience in high street, independent, hospital and domiciliary practice. Having worked extensively in a variety of practice formats, we wanted to create a local company providing services to local residents who are unable to visit a high street practice. By focusing our services in the local area, we can build lasting relationships with our patients, their care providers and relatives, and be their first port of call for all their eye care needs. You can be reassured that you will be tested by us the Directors (we do not employ locums).

Free from corporate pressures, sales targets and large overheads, we offer our patients a great service and believe in fair pricing. We understand relatives concerns regarding the care of loved ones living on their own, with family, or in care homes. We always work with respect and dignity taking time to fully understand patients needs.

All our eye tests are carried out in comfort of your own home. We will bring all the equipment that we need to test your vision and check the health of your eyes thoroughly for conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and cataracts.

​Don’t worry if you have a disability or medical condition, we are experienced in tailoring eye tests to meet individual needs.
If you would like to have a friend, relative or carer with you, that is no problem. We understand that it is reassuring to have someone with you to help ask any questions or discuss any concerns about your eye care.
At Freedom Eyecare Nottingham, our patients are at the heart of everything we do. We understand that we provide professional eye care services to vulnerable members of society and we take our responsibility very seriously.

We ensure that our prices are fair and transparent and that our team are fully background checked to put our patients minds at ease. We always carry identity cards with us and will never visit a home without prior booking. We listen to our customers and are always happy to hear any suggestions, questions or comments. We’d love to hear from you, please get in touch with us today.

A Landlord has been fined £10,000 and ordered to pay a further £5,700 in costs and victim surcharge after he failed to tackle serious hazards in a property he was renting out in Whitehall Road, Retford. Bassetlaw District Council brought a prosecution against John Bragasik, of Meadow View, Big Lane, Clarborough, at Mansfield Magistrates Court on 12th September 2019 where Mr Bragasik pleaded guilty to failing to comply with an improvement notice served under the Housing Act 2004.

The Court heard how Bassetlaw District Council was contacted by a Health Visitor who had concerns for the tenant and her children, including a nine-week-old baby who had been hospitalised with bronchitis. Following a visit by a Council Environmental Health Officer, a number of hazards were identified in the property including excess cold, fall hazards on the stairs, electrical hazards and fire risks.

The property suffered from uncontrollable draughts, missing radiators, an obsolete electric consumer unit with no residual current device protection, missing internal doors and defective floorboards at the top of the stairs.
The Council wrote to Mr Bargasik on the 12th December 2018 enclosing a schedule of works to be completed within 28 days.

On the 10th January 2019, with no works undertaken and no contact from the Landlord, the Council carried out a formal inspection of the property under Section 239 of the Housing Act 2004. Using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), the inspection revealed a number of category 1 and 2 hazards. These are hazards that have the ability to impact upon the health, safety and wellbeing of occupants and visitors to a dwelling.

On the 15th January 2019 the Council served an Improvement Notice under Section 11 and 12 of the Housing Act 2004. A subsequent inspection of the property on 5th March 2019 found that no works had been carried out. On the 8th April 2019, Mr Bargasik was invited to the Council Offices for a voluntary interview under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, but failed to attend or even respond to the Council.

The Landlord’s refusal to carry out any works and engage with the Council left the Authority no option but to proceed with a prosecution.
In sentencing, District Judge Taaffe remarked that this was a wholly avoidable situation and the property was a disgrace. He further commented that defects were material, there was a fire hazard and they could have contributed to the ill health of a child.

Councillor Simon Greaves, Leader of Bassetlaw District Council said:
“Landlords have a duty to ensure that the properties they rent out are safe and fit for purpose and that the wellbeing and safety of tenants are not at risk. There were many opportunities for the Landlord to carry out the works needed, avoid court and provide a safe property for his tenant and her children. I’d like to praise the excellent work of our Environmental Health Officers in successfully pursuing this case.”

A Ruddington school has made a trial ‘Walking Bus’ initiative permanent to help reduce air pollution in the village and encourage local children to exercise more.

Rushcliffe Borough Council is working with NHS Rushcliffe Clinical Commissioning Group and local community group Ruddington Mums on the programme that could now be replicated in other areas of Rushcliffe. Children from St Peter’s Junior School took part in their first ‘Walking Bus’ in June and now stroll to their school chaperoned by parents along a set route on a set timetable every school day.

The Council’s Deputy Leader Cllr Debbie Mason said: “This is a wonderful volunteer led initiative and the responsible parents and guardians and their children must be praised for how they have embraced a more sustainable journey to school. “The scheme helps to alleviate traffic pollution and congestion issues in the village and it also gives the children a chance to exercise in a controlled and supervised environment. “We would encourage all schools in Rushcliffe to consider a method of active travel to school, such as walking or cycling so they too can reap the health and environmental benefits.”

Parent Laura Ratcliffe has liaised with local schools and volunteers to organise the initiative in Ruddington for her two young daughters.
She said: “Our walking bus is an important part of many families’ mornings, providing children with a safe, healthy and reliable journey to school every morning.

“As we gain more volunteers we hope to explore new opportunities for our ‘Walking Bus’ to get even more children walking to school in Ruddington.”
Parents or guardians of children at St Peter’s Junior School in Ruddington can take part by emailing ruddingtonwalkingbus@gmail.com
Those interested in setting up a ‘Walking Bus’ in their town or village can email the authority’s Health Development Officer Alex Julian ajulian@rushcliffe.gov.uk.

Gedling Country Park has been awarded a ‘much loved’ park status in a national competition to find the UK’s best park. This summer’s UK’s Best Park award, organised by the Fields in Trust, has seen all-time high numbers of nominations and a record votes tally, with 36,832 park users casting votes to help decide the UK’s Best Park 2019.

In the East Midlands, 17 local parks and green spaces were nominated for the award. These nominations were then championed by park users, communities, Friends of groups, landowners and elected representatives as part of the public vote.

Following close of voting, the top four parks with the most votes received the ‘Much Loved’ status that included Gedling Country Park. The park will receive a certificate to recognise the support of the people who voted for it. Deputy Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor Michael Payne said “I’m delighted Gedling Country Park has been granted ‘Much Loved’ status after it came in the top four parks in the entire East Midlands when the votes had been counted.

This award by Fields in Trust is yet another recognition of Gedling Country Park as a stunning jewel in the crown of Nottinghamshire and the wider East Midlands. Thank you to all of you who took the time to vote for our beautiful park”