I am backing RNIB’s campaign ensure that everyone diagnosed with sight loss gets the emotional support they need to come to terms with their condition.
I attended the launch of The Royal National Institute of Blind People’s (RNIB) new report ‘Being There When it Matters’, which is calling for every eye department in the UK to have access to a qualified sight loss adviser so that people are properly supported as they adapt to life with reduced or no vision.
Only 30% of eye departments in the UK have access to a qualified sight loss adviser, who give dedicated practical and emotional support, offer advice on everything from remaining in employment, to being more independent around the home and reducing the risk of falls whilst out and about. Recent research has revealed that sight loss advisers create significant financial savings for health and social care budgets with every £1 invested in the service delivering a return of £10.57.
It is vital that blind and partially sighted people receive quality and support to help them to adapt to their sight loss because of the profound impact it can have on a person’s life. That is why I support RNIB’s campaign for every eye department to have access to sight loss adviser.
Watch the RNIB’s video highlighting the key issues.
