Multiagency working Low Vision Services in Wales Jenny

Multi-agency working - Low Vision Services in Wales. Jenny Gray Children’s Low Vision Advocate

History - Low Vision Services • Services were patchy and fragmented • Service users had to travel long distances to get to services. • Waiting times for some services were up to a year.

History - Services for children • More professionals involved • Little knowledge of other services and when to refer • No specific method of referral • Complicated referral routes

History - Services for children • Insufficient information in referrals • Few children having low vision assessments • Parents not aware of services available

The Welsh Low Vision Scheme • Began in July 2004 • >120 optometrists and dispensing opticians accredited • Funded by the Welsh Assembly Government

The Welsh Low Vision Scheme • • Whole of Wales Close to people’s homes < 2 week waiting list Open referral system

The Children’s Low Vision Project • Main aim - improve access to low vision services for children and young people • Funded by Welsh Assembly Government • Started in March 2004 • Run by RNIB Cymru

Initiatives - first two years • • Multi-agency discussion group meetings Multi-agency training days Referral forms Contact directory

Initiatives - first two years • • Leaflets for parents Website Meetings with LVA manufacturers Promoting use of LVAs to children and young people

Results • Feedback suggests – Better knowledge of services – Increased referral rates - especially for low vision assessments – Children are receiving a more holistic, integrated low vision service.

Case Study: Multi-agency working in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot • Increased awareness of roles and services • Interagency visits and job shadowing • Increase in referrals for low vision assessments

Case Study: Multi-agency working in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot • Teachers and social workers receiving more information • Plan to set standards for an integrated low vision service in the area.

Case Study: How the scheme has helped children • 11 year old girl - rare corneal condition • Numerous operations in London • After 6 months in Wales, had accessed no low vision services.

Case Study: How the scheme has helped children • After seeing logo parent made appointment with Low Vision Practitioner • Child and parents clearly in need of support • Practitioner made referrals to social services, education and VIEWS emotional support programme

Case Study: How the scheme has helped children • A year later - quality of life of child and parents significantly improved: – Emotional support greatly helped child and parents – Support received in school for 50% of timetable – Uses a variety of LVAs – Tints control photophobia

• Multi-agency working, the Welsh Low Vision Scheme and the Children’s Low Vision Project have provided children with access to: – Services close to their home – Shorter waiting times – Automatic referral to other services – More information about services

Contact details • The Welsh Low Vision Scheme Carmarthenshire Local Health Board Tel: 01554 744426 • Children’s Low Vision Project Jenny Gray Tel: 01792 325309 E-mail: jennifer. gray@rnib. org. uk