LOW VISION – THE DEBATE

York

November 30th 2009

Statement

Dealing effectively with Low Vision needs for partially sighted people is the single most important element in their lives. Without it education, citizenship, employment and leisure are all weakened or placed out of reach. Add to it good emotional support and training and people’s lives can change for the better.

Discussion

• How have we done so far?

• Where are we now?• Why is it so difficult?• Expectations• Investment in LV

coordination

How have we done so far?

• History and update to follow; but recognise the impact when used

• The challenge has been to coordinate the campaigning and influence for better LV services

• It has been a struggle to gain a single focus

• LVSCs have only one person to turn to for support – Mary Bairstow

Where are we now?

• LVSCs now recognised as a useful resource and influencer but progress has been slow

• UK Vision Strategy - Outcomes• Good LVSCs are a beacon of success –

some are good but struggle for attention• Recession and budget cuts loom• But….at least LV is on the map!

Why is it so difficult?

• Communication or misunderstandings?

• Lack of political focus?

• LVSCs are low cost high value so where’s the financial problem?

• Is it because it is simply seen as too difficult to get agencies together to talk about one specific element of VI?

Patients’ Expectations

To be:

• Fully advised and signposted to other agencies eg social care, charities

• Experience no delays and to be treated with respect – and listened to!

• Given the right equipment and training

• Offered regular reviews

Investment in Low Vision

• A coordinated investment in LV is needed• The LVSG and work of LVSCs costs about

£20,000. This is mostly voluntary work and equates to approx’ £2.00 per hr

• In the past year there have been about 25 major successful outcomes = £800 each

• This cost is less than a half an ECLO in one hospital eye clinic

• If we cannot invest in LV it is doomed to remain in the fourth division!

Summary• Well done to all the LVSCs• To everyone else: think about how best

to support this low cost high value work• To Vision2020UK and the UK Vision

Strategy – consider permanent moderate investment in Low Vision issues to score more goals, achieve more outcomes for the Strategy and get into the Premier League!