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.”
Notes To Editors
There are estimated to be around 850,000 people
with hearing loss in Scotland – one in six people.
Significant sight loss affects 180,000 people in Scotland – one in 30
people.
Deafblind Scotland estimates there are around
5,000 people who have both significant hearing and sight loss.
The full See Hear strategy can be viewed here:http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2014/04/7863
The strategy will also be available to download
as an ebook.