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Report recommends action for better registration of people with visual impairment
22/05/2001
More work needs to be done to ensure people with a visual impairment receive the benefits and services to which they are entitled, according to the report of a working group set up by the Scottish Executive.
The publication of the report, which examines the certification and registration of visually impaired people, was announced today by Deputy Minister for Social Justice Margaret Curran during a visit to a new sensory impairment centre in Fife.
The report also suggests that the tests of 'employability' for visually impaired people should be more sophisticated to ensure that people are not unnecessarily excluded from employment.
The report makes a number of recommendations for action by the Scottish Executive, local authorities, health professionals and voluntary organisations.
Key recommendations of the report for the Scottish Executive include:
- Setting up a formal system for opticians, GPs and ophthalmologists to notify specialist services when a visually impaired person comes to their attention.
- Setting up a development fund to promote better communication between services and improve practice.
- Regular reviews of the certification and registration process by the Social Work Services Inspectorate.
Speaking at the opening of the centre in Kirkcaldy, Ms Curran said:
"This report makes extremely useful recommendations about the promotion of good practice and ways to improve services at a local level. So it is fitting to announce its publication at the opening of such an innovative sensory impairment centre - one of the first of its kind in Scotland.
"Here in Fife agencies are already working in partnership to ensure that people with sensory loss have access to health and welfare support.
"We must build on this good partnership work to create services, built around the particular needs of people with sensory impairment, throughout Scotland.
"The Scottish Executive will be considering the report's recommendations carefully to ensure that people across Scotland have access to the care and support that they need, and to ensure that everybody has the opportunity to fulfil their potential."
BACKGROUND
- Copies of the Report will be available on the day and will be posted on the Scottish Executive website: www.scotland.gov.uk . Copies are also available in audio tape format.
2. Copies of the report will be sent to local authorities, health trusts, relevant voluntary organisations, and other interested organisations. They will be asked to consider the recommendations as a means of improving services for people with visual impairment.
3. A report of an inspection of social work services for people with a sensory impairment, 'Sensing Progress' was published in 1998. It recommended a review of the arrangements for certification and registration of people with a visual impairment.
News Release: SE1314/2001
22 May 2001