12. Sensory Impairment Update Paper F

COMMITTEE: Service Development Committee DATE 23 June 2005 DEPARTMENT Housing and Social Services

12. SENSORY IMPAIRMENT UPDATE – PAPER ‘F’

Matter for Consideration

A. Equipment Adaptations Sensory Impairment Team (EASIT)

EASIT provides equipment and or adaptations to help disabled people manage more easily to live independent lives. EASIT assesses the individual needs and arranges delivery and fitting of equipment and adaptations, and in the case of low vision rehabilitation.

B. Sensory Impairment Team

Comprises of a Technical Officer for Deaf/Hard of Hearing (part-time), Rehabilitation Officer Visual Impairment (ROVI full time), Dual Sensory Officer (part-time). The adaptation admin team carries out registration and stock control.

The admin team from EASIT monitors stock control of equipment, ordering and payments. Provides a screening service for low vision referrals and some small equipment. Then the ROVI has an idea of what equipment is needed and can take it out on the assessment day, helping to meet D54 (equipment delivery)/D55 (assessment) targets. The admin assistant manages the low vision registration scheme. The Eye Clinic at the hospital informs social services if a person is registerable as blind or partially sighted. The person is then contacted by the admin assistant and are provided with an information pack and offered a visit by the ROVI. In addition the admin team manages the bookings for British Sign Language Interpreters corporately in line with the BSL policy.

The Technical Officer for Hearing Impairment (TOHI) receives referrals via BIFAS and they may be from individuals, Social Workers, Hearing Therapists at the hospital or the deaf community worker. The TOHI then visits the client and assesses what equipment is needed such as loop systems, vibrating fire alarms (fitted by the Fire Brigade), flashing doorbells etc. There has recently been an increase in referrals and the waiting list has increased to 5 weeks. People can be registered as hard of hearing or Deaf after a visit from the TOHI.

The ROVI receives referrals via BIFAS and direct from the Low Vision Registration Scheme. The ROVI visits clients to assess for equipment and rehabilitation. The type of equipment supplied is symbol cane, liquid level indicators etc. The rehabilitation provides support in daily living such as cooking and getting around in the local neighbourhood for people with low vision. The ROVI is involved in the Mobility Panel and has provided training to the OTs on Low Vision, as well as general advice when needed. At present there is no waiting list for referrals. 2

A Low Vision Committee (LVC) has been set up in line with the standards in a document called ‘Progress in Sight’ and as recommended by the RNIB. A service mapping day took place in April 2004, which has identified action points to improve the service. The LVC comprises of professionals and service users and have developed lemon pages- the directory of information for low vision, and lemon page a laminated list of important numbers to keep on the fridge or by the ‘phone. All clients registerable as blind or partially sighted receive this pack. A copy was given to each SDC member in January. We are liasing with the Eye Clinic and Optometrists to introduce a new low vision registration scheme as specified by the Department of Health. The hospital has recently started issuing Certificates of Visual Impairment (CVI) and we are setting up a system to issue registration cards. We are hoping to put on training for Optometrists later in the year and supply them with form LVI (Local referrals for Visual Impairment). This has to be provided by Social Services.

C. Numbers on Social Services Records

Deaf Hard of Hearing Age Total 0 – 17 7 18 – 64 196 65 – 74 124 75 or over 545 TOTAL 872

Blind Partially Sighted Age Total 0 – 17 21 18 – 64 279 65 and over 1309 TOTAL 1609

Deaf clients approx. 75

Dual Sensory Loss 473 identified so far estimate approx. 3000 in Blackpool

Dual Sensory Loss Authority Total Barnsley 64 Blackburn 157 Bolton 380 Brighton 180 Warrington 8 Lancashire 417 Manchester 373 Liverpool 150 Sefton 6 Bournemouth 92 Plymouth 20

In Blackpool there are 473 DSL people registered on Social Services system so far. 3

D. Comment

The numbers of hearing impaired people are increasing so waiting lists have been over 4 weeks. Various reasons for this such as better and earlier diagnosis. Fewer stigmas regarding wearing hearing aids. Ageing population. Noise damage in youth due to loud music etc. The Fire Brigade has had to delay the installation of vibrating smoke alarms except for priorities while they train up more staff to install them.

E. Current Actions

. Work is being carried out on mapping the hard of hearing service and dual sensory loss in line with national standards and linking in more with the Deaf Community Worker.

. We are producing a catalogue of equipment available in line with FACS and to improve procurement costs and clearly state what equipment we provide and whom it is for. We are considering in the future moving sensory equipment into the Loan store but at present there is not the facility and the systems are better in house.

. We are talking to the Blackpool Fylde and Wyre Society for the Blind about streamlining the service and producing a project outline to take this further.

. We are talking to ‘Bridging the Gap’ about using their services for after care to ensure clients using their hearing equipment and they provide volunteer support/ lip reading classes etc.

. Direct payments for equipment have not yet been introduced. This needs to be considered and we have included developing a system in our Service Delivery Plan.

. We are developing systems to fully computerise the records for sensory impairments so that the social workers can access assessments and equipment provided.

. Sensory equipment is reviewed in the equipment review alongside community equipment and adaptations.

. The action points raised by the LVC raised the lack of counselling available to newly registerable clients with Low Vision and suggested that a volunteer scheme be set up to link between the hospital and social services to support these clients. Bridging the Gap offer a similar service.

F. Dual Sensory Loss

The Dual Sensory Officer has identified 473 people in Blackpool with Dual Sensory Loss (Deafblind) and is assessing what services and equipment is required. In the past there have been no services specifically for people with dual sensory loss. Although the term used is Deafblind the definition refers to those with significant sight and hearing loss that affects their ability to carry out day to day activities and lead independent lives. A paper was issued to SDC members written by Caroline at the SDC meeting in January 4 explaining the difficulties to overcome and our statutory duties as a Local Authority under section 7.

G. Comment

. We need to identify funding available for the services required.

. We need to be able to assess all those identified.

. Assistive technology/ equipment in terms of equipment is important for people with dual sensory loss such as vibrating clocks to tell them what time of day it is.

. Provide training for Communicator Guides, Interpreters, and Interveners as there are none trained in this area, the nearest are in Manchester.

. Address the complete isolation and lack of attendance at hospital, GP and other appointments due to the difficulty of booking an appointment and transport to get there not being able to hear or see clearly. The lack of volunteer support to do every day activities. The vulnerability and potential for abuse in not being able to see or hear clearly people coming to the door.

This information shows the extent of the work we have to do to reduce social isolation for people with a dual sensory loss. Dual sensory loss is a service that needs development.

H. Recommendation

That Members note the progress made and challenges which are faced in relation to Sensory Impairment Services.

Relevant Officer

Sandi Taylor EASIT Co-ordinator