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