Identification and Notification of Sight Loss Jeff Bashton (Social Care Consultant)

Identification and Notification of Sight Loss Background Update Ministerial announcement on ‘In Touch’ Working Group Analysis of feedback from original launch

Sources of Support Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI) Referral of Vision Impaired Patient (RVI) Letter of Vision Impairment (LVI) Explanatory Note:  For ophthalmologists and eye clinic staff  For social care and optometrists ‘What is the CVI?’ Explanatory Note for Patients:  In English and minority ethnic languages

Summary of scheme 3 routes for the needs of visually impaired people to be identified and referred Separates identification of need from formal registration process New registration terminology BD8 discontinued  from 1 September 2005 Improved data collection

3 forms for 3 referral routes for social care –-Patient self-referral letter Provided by community optometrists for social care –-Referral from eye clinics –-Use when certification not imminent to certify and for social care –-Completed by ophthalmologists –-Certificate establishes eligibility for registration LVI RVI CVI

Refer as social needs arise Early referral = maintenance of independence SOCIAL SERVICES LVICVIRVI for needs assessment and / or registration High St Optometrist Eye Clinic

Examples of social need Can be flagged up using any of the forms Loss of confidence outdoors  Leads to risk and / or isolation Inability to read  Bills unpaid, can become out of touch Distress re loss of vision  Depression, abandonment of desire for independence > High support needs Coping at home becomes risky  Cookery, dated foods, fire hazards etc

What next? Piloting the toolkit Amending the layout of the Letter of Vision Impairment (LVI) Ensuring all amended documents are on the DH website Announcing re-launch in Chief Executive’s Bulletin Writing to key stakeholders

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