Multi-agency working - Low Vision Services in Wales.

1
Multi-agency working - Low Vision Services in
Wales.

• Jenny Gray
• Childrens Low Vision Advocate

2
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.

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History - Services for children

• More professionals involved
• Little knowledge of other services and when to
  refer
• No specific method of referral
• Complicated referral routes

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History - Services for children

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

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The Welsh Low Vision Scheme

• Began in July 2004
• gt120 optometrists and dispensing opticians
  accredited
• Funded by the Welsh Assembly Government

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The Welsh Low Vision Scheme

• Whole of Wales
• Close to peoples homes
• lt 2 week waiting list
• Open referral system

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The Childrens 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

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Initiatives - first two years

• Multi-agency discussion group meetings
• Multi-agency training days
• Referral forms
• Contact directory

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Initiatives - first two years

• Leaflets for parents
• Website
• Meetings with LVA manufacturers
• Promoting use of LVAs to children and young people

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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• Multi-agency working, the Welsh Low Vision Scheme
  and the Childrens 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

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Contact details

• The Welsh Low Vision Scheme
• Carmarthenshire Local Health Board
• Tel [phone]
• Childrens Low Vision Project
• Jenny Gray
• Tel [phone]
• E-mail jennifer.gray_at_rnib.org.uk