Scotland

Improving access to health and social care

Summary: RNIB Scotland campaigns for ready and equal access to services and resources.

• Core national standards for eye care services
• Campaign for supply of essential aids to living
• Highlighting pensioners at risk
• Campaign for treatment of “wet” AMD

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Core national standards for eye care services

The Scottish Executive is undertaking a review of eye care services in Scotland. In October 2005 it issued a report for consultation. RNIB Scotland replied with a call for the introduction of Core National Standards (Word 26k) for the provision of eye care services in Scotland.

Campaign for supply of essential aids to living

RNIB Scotland is campaigning for a guaranteed automatic free supply of an agreed basic list of essential equipment for blind and partially sighted people wherever they live in Scotland.

A survey commissioned by RNIB Scotland entitled Buy your own white stick! (Word 40k) revealed confusion and inconsistency in the provision and charging policy for community equipment across Scotland.

Essential equipment such as white sticks or canes and simple aids to cooking, reading and daily living will reduce the risk of injury and enhance mobility and independence.

Highlighting pensioners at risk

RNIB Scotland combined with Scottish Gas to publish a report on pensioners with sight loss. It revealed that thousands of older people are being left to cope alone when their sight fails. The “Unseen” report found that they are at an increased risk of accidents, poverty and social exclusion because of inadequate transport.

RNIB Scotland delivered presentations on the subject at political conferences and is campaigning for proper support to be given to all pensioners with sight problems across the country.

Campaign for treatment of “wet” AMD

RNIB Scotland is campaigning for the provision of Photo Dynamic Therapy (PDT) treatment on the NHS for people with the wet variety of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Return to RNIB Scotland’s campaigns page

Content author: mike.brown@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 20/11/2008 11:13