improving services for people with low vision: an evaluation of the work of the low vision services...
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Improving services for people with low vision: an evaluation of the work of the Low Vision Services Committees
Andrew Gibson, Research Fellow, Institute of Health, University of
WarwickProfessor Gillian Hundt, Institute of
HealthDr Maria Stuttaford, University of St
Andrews
Growing awareness of the need for change in LV Services Fragmented services Difficult to access Wide disparity in the quality and
quantity of services Lack of information for those who
would benefit from these services Lack of multi-disciplinary and
multi-professional working
Origins of Low Vision Service Committees
‘Consensus Conference’ held in March 1998, chaired by Lord Jenkin
The Low Vision Services Consensus Group was set up
Reported in 1999. Set standards and suggested LV Committees to implement them
Origins of Low Vision Service Committees
National steering group set up Implementation Officer appointed in
September 2000 11 in 1999, now 73 (September
2005) Generally meet on a quarterly basis Average attendance of 10 people (of
whom 2 are service users)
Focus of the evaluation:
The role and activities of the LVSC in terms of the development of new services
The improvement of current services
The role of service users and the development of joint working
Focus of the evaluation:
Factors facilitating the functioning of LVSCs
Barriers and constraints Strengths and areas for
improvement
Evaluation design An analysis of policy documents and
minutes of meetings Group and individual interviews with
key stakeholders A questionnaire sent out to all LVSCs The selection of three regions – West
Midlands, London and the South West - to take part in a series of in-depth regional workshops
Findings
Structure and functioning of the commitees
Service user involvement Promoting multi-agency working Improving services
Structure and functioning of the committees
The main point of contact is via the Implementation Officer
Only 22% of committees circulate Bold View to their wider membership
Many committees lack clarity about their purpose
Structure and functioning of the committees
The setting up of a LVSCs website The twinning of LVSCs to facilitate
communication and the sharing of good practice
The holding of annual regional events or workshops to bring together members of different LVSCs to share experiences and exchange ideas.
Improving service user involvement (methods used) Ensuring that information is passed on
to service users in an accessible format (81%)
Developing links with local service user groups (78%)
Involving service users in the mapping of services (78%)
Involving service users in planning local services (68%)
Barriers to service user involvement
Service users do not know what they can expect from service providers
They often have low expectations of services
They lack the confidence to challenge service providers
The term “low vision” covers a very broad range of people and problems.
Improving service user involvement The development of a pack of information
to raise service users’ awareness and expectations of service provision
The development of an induction pack that provides guidance on the role of service users in LVSCs
The use of service user sub-groups that allow service users to debate and clarify issues before meeting with professionals in the main LVSC
Dealing with specialist needs Actively inviting people to join who have
an interest in a specific issue Having a key person to deal with
specific issues Creating a slot on the agenda to
address specific needs, for example children’s issues
Create a sub-group to deal with a specific issue
Promoting multi-agency working
A majority of committees are actively working with one or more of the following service providers:
Social Services (92%) PCTs (70%) Hospital Services (86%) The Voluntary Sector (70%) Education Services (51%)
Barriers to promoting multi-agency working
Conflicts between service users and service providers
Conflicts between different service providers
The important role of LVSC chairs
Improving multi-agency working Developing a network of LVSC chairs The development of a pack of
information which provides guidance on the role of chairs in LVSCs
Guidance on developing clearer reporting pathways to relevant organisations in an effort to raise the profile of the LVSC and improve communication
Improving services
Improving the dissemination of information about local services to the community (70%)
Developing links with optometrists based in primary care (65%)
Involvement in the National Eye Care Services Steering Group Pilot Projects
Barriers to improving services 76% of LVSCs report that accessing
funding has been the main difficulty they face in improving services
46% indicated that influencing the planning process is a major problem when attempting to improve services
41% reported that implementing a joint plan of action with service providers is another
Accessing funding
Producing a guide to sources of funding
Guidance on PCT funding procedures and local development plans
Guidance on developing multi-agency service proposals
Strengths of LVSCs The range of expertise brought together by the
committees The networking opportunities created The ability to jointly work with service users to plan
local services and meet local needs Raising the profile of low vision services generally
Challenges
Accessing funding Widening the base of service user
involvement Engaging key stakeholders
Conclusion
There is evidence that the LVSCs have made significant progress since their inception in 1999
However, a significant commitment from local and national statutory services is also needed if this progress is to be continued
Further information
Contact Mary BairstowLow Vision Services Implementation58-72 John Bright StBirminghamB1 1BN
Telephone 0121 665 4248/[email protected]