Multi-agency working - Low Vision Services in Wales.

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

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

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

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

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

7. 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

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

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

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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