WIREDGOV

The Scottish Government has invested £2 million to implement a new strategy for sensory impairment – the first of its kind in the UK.

See Hear sets out seven recommendations for improving services for sensory impaired people in Scotland. It was put together following close consultation with a range of organisations including RNIB Scotland, Action on Hearing Loss Scotland, COSLA and Deafblind Scotland.

More than one million people in Scotland experience either hearing loss or significant sight loss – nearly 20 per cent of the population.

Consultees stressed the importance of early diagnosis of sensory impairment, so the strategy recommends that basic sensory checks should be offered to people when they reach a certain age.

To reduce discrimination of people with sensory impairment, employers are advised to review their compliance with the 2010 Equalities Act.

Other recommendations include promoting increased awareness of sensory problems in training programmes, to make sure people do not miss out on professional qualifications.

Scottish Government funding will be given to local authorities to implement the strategy through local partnership networks. The £2 million will be spread out between 2013/14 and 2014/15.

Launching the new strategy today, Michael Matheson, Minister for Public Health, said: “Nearly one in five people in Scotland experience some form of sensory impairment, and we know that they can still face a number of barriers when it comes to playing a full role in society.

“We’re determined that everyone with a sensory impairment should have access to the best quality health services, with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment when they need it. We’re also committed to stamping out discrimination against anyone with a sensory impairment wherever it still exists.

“This is an issue which goes way beyond the NHS, and that’s why we embarked on this wide ranging consultation with a range of partners. The resulting strategy, the first of its kind in the UK, will guide our approach as we seek to improve the lives of people living with sensory impairment in Scotland.”

John Legg, director of RNIB Scotland, said: “’See Hear’ could be a step-change in making Scotland a more inclusive place for people with sensory loss. We fully endorse the holistic approach the strategy takes, from prevention and early diagnosis, through to providing seamless care and support that connects every stage of people’s lives, and also to recognising ‘hidden’ sensory loss among those least able to communicate it.

“We welcome the emphasis on partnership working with third sector bodies. People with sensory loss should be given the choice and flexibility to live as independently as possible in the mainstream of society, not tucked away in its margins.”

Ruth Dorman, Chief Executive of Deafblind Scotland, said: “This strategy puts adults living with severe dual sensory loss (deafblindness) on an equal footing with all citizens, equality in access to and development of improved outcomes, where practical steps are identified within the strategy for all to consider. Further the approach taken dovetails nicely into the Route Map to the 2020 Vision for Health and Social Care, which identifies prevention as a priority to improve care for people with multi-morbidities. It has been a consultative journey involving both staff and deafblind members to reach this day.”

Delia Henry, Director of charity Action on Hearing Loss Scotland, said: “We welcome that the needs and choices of everyone with hearing or sight loss are at the heart of this ground-breaking sensory impairment strategy, and that specialist third sector community-based services will play a vital partnership role in supporting people with sensory loss to manage their conditions and live as independently as possible.”