1. RWPN Annual Seminar Vision Services and Occupational Therapy: Creating a better understanding Suzy England Occupational Therapy and Sight Loss Consultant Thomas Pocklington Trust

2. Background There are roughly 30,000 practising OTs in the UK There are at least 30 universities offering an undergraduate OT programme in the UK Our research found that OTs lacked confidence in supporting people with sight loss

3. Occupational Therapists (OTs) OTs work in a variety of settings across health, social care, independent practice and third sector organisations Provide practical support to enable people to overcome any barriers that prevent them from doing the activities that matter to them The “Think sight” message is important for all OTs

4. Where did I start? Pulling resources together into an accessible place Networking Linking OTs up with specialists in the sight loss sector

5. Successes New E Module “ Think sight in falls prevention” Growing numbers of OTs attending seminars on sight loss A growing network of OTs seeking support

6. What have we learnt? OT’s need a framework to work within OTs work in a wide variety of clinical areas A need for a specialist interest group More training and support Know how to access vision services More consistent coverage of sight loss on undergraduate courses

7. What's next? Do you work with OTs? Can you contribute to the training and support of OTs? Do you have any practice stories to share?

8. Contact details Suzy England Occupational Therapist and Sight loss Consultant Thomas Pocklington Trust Email: suzy@set2work.co.uk Mobile: 07743 994164