Registered Charity No. 1093675
ONWARDS AND UPWARDS
VISION 2020 UK
NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2004
Contents:
1. Introduction
2. Work in Progress
3. VISION 2020 UK Conference Report/Feedback
4. World Sight Day – 14 October 2004
5. Disability, Pregnancy and Parenthood International (DPPi)
6. Optometry Giving Sight (OGS)
7. British Journal of Visual Impairment (BJVI)
8. Charity Bill and Other Submissions
9. The Importance of Vision in Preventing Falls
1. INTRODUCTION:
The past few months have been very busy in relation to the activities of VISION 2020 UK and it certainly does feel that we are moving onwards and upwards!
On the health front, we have seen the launch of the Eye Care Pathways and the review commenced on Primary Ophthalmic Care. I spoke at the London Launch of the Pathways and Nick Astbury’s summary of these can be found by clicking on our website: www.vision2020uk.org.uk and going to the Library section. The article is entitled “Eye Care Pathways Update”.
As well as attending a meeting to discuss Primary Ophthalmic Care, I have continued to attend the Eye Care Steering Group. At its last meeting, it focused on the Pathway Launches in Manchester, Leicester, Exeter and London and updated on the early progress of the Pilot Projects. It is planned that all of these will fully start between September and November of 2004. A small group has been appointed to formulate evaluation criteria and act as a monitoring group. This work is being led by Andrew Kent from the Modernisation Agency.
Also, on the health front, I had the distinct pleasure of being a speaker at the Ophthalmic Nurses Conference in Glasgow!
Turning to other areas, in June I organised VISION 2020 UK’s 3rd Conference and AGM, and with 74 participants, it was the biggest to date.
The work of the sub-groups have continued and expanded (please see item 2. below).
Of the 38 members from last year, 36 members have rejoined and 2 are in the process of doing so. I am also delighted to announce that the International Glaucoma Association have now joined and become our 39th member and there are two outstanding applications to join which are being processed.
The financial year closed with VISION 2020 UK adding a small amount to its reserves and setting a small deficit budget for 04/05. Copies of the Annual Report and Accounts will be available from the VISION 2020 UK website from August 04.
Finally, I have continued to meet many key players throughout the sector and have been genuinely excited by the greater spirit of cooperation and partnership working I have witnessed.
Please do not hesitate to contact me about anything in this Newsletter or with any ideas you may have for improving communication and partnership working over the coming months.
Mike Brace
2. WORK IN PROGRESS:
Hospital Eye Information Group
Having successfully formulated and published principles of service by paid and volunteer staff in providing information and advice in Hospital Eye Clinics, the Group has now turned its attention to considering how they might offer support and training to those providing this very important service. I had an article published in the RCO “College News”, which highlighted the variable responses by some staff in Eye Clinics to the information services being provided. I have already received one response from an ophthalmologist highlighting the importance of this service from his experience and identifying research providing evidence of this.
International Committee
The International Committee has met and is jointly taking a number of issues forward. The General Assembly of IAPB will be held in Dubai in September and VISION 2020 UK will be represented by Sue Wright. Marcia Zondervan, based at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, has been appointed in an exciting development designed to link institutions and training centres of excellence in the UK with institutions and organisations abroad in order to build lasting, sustainable partnerships in the area of eye health and preventable blindness.
Social Research Group
This Group, via VISION 2020 UK, has published its first edition of “Research News”, which highlights social research published in the last six months. Thomas Pocklington Trust, at a seminar to disseminate research that they had been involved with, were made aware that a Social Research Newsletter would be valued by many in the sector and asked the Social Research Group whether it would be better coming as a “partnership” initiative. You can receive the next edition direct by registering as a user on the Social Research Group micro-site on the VISION 2020 UK website (link: www.vision2020uk.org.uk).
This Group also held an excellent seminar regarding the new guidance to “Research Governance Framework for Health and Social Care”. 17 individuals attended, representing 4 university/research centres and a number of research commissioning/sponsoring organisations. The relevant document can also be obtained from the Library section of the Social Research Group micro-site, as mentioned above.
Low Vision Implementation Group
There are now 59 low vision committees established throughout England and an evaluation of the projects so far is being undertaken by Andrew Gibson of Warwick University. This should be available by the end of 2004. The LVIG, plus the Executive of VISION 2020 UK, are now discussing what should be in place from September 2005 to continue the important work of raising the issues of low vision within the visual impairment sector as a whole and to establish better services to meet the needs of the many thousands affected.
Network 1000
20 local authorities have been identified throughout England, Scotland and Wales and 12 have so far accepted to be part of the Project. Two more authorities have given an “in principle” agreement, one is unable to commit itself at this time and five need a further follow-up, as no response has been received at all! Researchers will be visiting all of the local authorities and commencing mail-shots to a sample of adults on the local authorities’ register asking them to participate in the research project. Publicity is being arranged during August and September to coincide with individuals receiving requests to participate. Regular updates to the project will be posted on the Network 1000 micro-site and if you wish to have specific information on this item, please register on the micro-site.
Eye Research Group
This Group propose to hold a seminar on Eye Research on World Sight Day, 14 October 2004. The Seminar will bring together researchers/research centres and current funders of eye research, but the venue has not yet been finalised. Please let me know if you are interested in receiving further information about this event.
Communications Group
This Group had its second meeting at “Sight Village” in July and was attended by 14 organisations with a further 13 sending their apologies (but a strong willingness to be involved in future meetings). The main achievements of this Group so far has been to produce:
* a “Schedule of Planned Events and Campaigns” in the sector for sharing with each other, with a view to avoiding duplication and clashes and with the intention of providing opportunities for support and publicity across the sector
* a “Publications Calendar” whereby people wishing to place articles, or advertise specific events can check publication dates and contact points.
Both documents can be viewed on the Communications Group micro-site by following the steps previously mentioned.
Children’s Issues Group
The Group had its first meeting in June and its next meeting will take place on 12th October in London. 14 organisations attended with a further 12 expressing an interest to attend the next meeting. The Group initially considered and amended a flowchart detailing issues affecting children and young people from birth to adulthood. Links have subsequently been made with a number of key ophthalmic and paediatric groups and organisations, such as VIS (an organisation in Scotland), to enable providers of services to children to learn from each other and explore examples of good practice. The Group also explored issues to do with advocacy and the differences between this term in relation to educational issues and general advocacy for children and their parents in a range of other difficult areas of their lives.
3. VISION 2020 UK CONFERENCE REPORT/FEEDBACK:
The 2004 Conference took place on 24th June in the Britannia Conference Centre, Britannia Street, London. 74 people attended, which made it the largest Conference held so far by VISION 2020 UK. The key outcome, apart from extended networking from all those present, was a general acceptance of a VISION 2020 UK Sight Loss National Framework for Action. A proposal was made that organisations would sign up to the Framework in the Autumn (perhaps on World Sight Day) and work would continue on a strategy to deliver the key objectives.
A lively debate took place regarding the coexistence in the sector of both large and small organisations “elephants and mice!” and VISION 2020 UK’s role may well be one of environmental “rangers”, ensuring that all can co-exist and work for the benefit of people with a visual impairment.
41 organisations attended and the initial evaluation shows that, in the opinion of those who attended, it was “a great success”. A full report of the Conference can be seen within the Library section of the VISION 2020 UK website (link: www.vision2020uk.org.uk ).
4. WORLD SIGHT DAY – 14 OCTOBER 2004:
A significant part of the Communications Group Meeting, (mentioned in item 2 above), focused on preparations in the UK for World Sight Day. This is a major opportunity for all organisations in the sector – health, not for profit, statutory and organisations of the visually impaired, to highlight issues affecting people suffering sight loss and the fragmented approach to policy and the provision of services to them. VISION 2020 (International) have produced a range of materials which can be viewed in the Library section within our website (link: www.vision2020uk.org.uk ).
Mike Newman who is totally blind and works for Barclays Bank, is the current Land-Speed (in a car) record holder and is available to attend functions with his record breaking car. Contact can be made with Mike via Jo Humphries, VISION 2020 (International) on 020 7927 2973.
Please do not let this opportunity go by without at least designating an activity (happening in October) in your organisation as being for World Sight Day. If you have not done so already, can you please let me know what the event is and when it will take place and we will add it to our Events Calendar.
5. DISABILITY, PREGNANCY AND PARENTHOOD INTERNATIONAL (DPPi):
I recently came across the work of this organisation in relation to their proposed production of a booklet on pregnancy, childcare and early baby care. A short description and contact details are mentioned below:
Disability, Pregnancy & Parenthood international (DPPi) is a small UK based registered charity, controlled by disabled parents, which promotes better awareness and support for disabled people considering, during and after pregnancy and as parents.
DPPi is a charity for disabled people who are already parents and their families, those who wish to become parents and their families and also for health and social work professionals and other individuals and organizations concerned with disability and/or pregnancy and parenting.
Ideas for contents
for the information booklet for blind and partially sighted parents on pregnancy, childbirth and early baby care can be found by clicking on: www.vision2020uk.org.uk and going to the Library Section.
DPPi Contact Details:
Disability, Pregnancy and Parenthood International
National Centre for Disabled Parents
Unit F9
89-93 Fonthill Road
London N4 3JH
Tel: 020 7263 3088
Freephone: 0800 018 4730
Textphone: 0800 018 9949
Fax: 020 7263 6399
Email:
Website: www.dppi.org.uk
6 OPTOMETRY GIVING SIGHT (OGS):
OGS was founded by the World Council of Optometry (WCO), the International Centre for Eye Care Education (ICEE) and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), this initiative will predominantly fund projects and studies in the field of low vision and refraction around the world.
OGS has been launched in Australia and in the UK. Here in the UK the national committee is made up of a group of organisations which include the College of Optometrists, Association of Optometrists, Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians and Association of British Dispensing Opticians, as well as NGOs including Sight Savers International, Christian Blind Mission UK, ORBIS UK, Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB), Vision Aid Overseas and VISION 2020 UK.
The strength in this rare collaboration is that it brings together a profession committed to eye and vision health, its patients, and organisations both passionate about eliminating avoidable blindness and having the knowledge and determination to deliver on this.
Money will be raised via donations from practices and patients and will be used to fund projects around the world to ensure that children and adults are able to see and live productive lives, rather than suffer unnecessary blindness.
If you want to know more about this exciting project contact Gemma Genovese on 020 7391 2020.
7. BRITISH JOURNAL OF VISUAL IMPAIRMENT (BJVI):
Over the past few months I have been actively supporting, on behalf of VISION 2020 UK and Opsis, the continuance of the BJVI. I am pleased to announce that it will continue and I have been asked to join the Editorial Panel.
Please see below a short article from SAGE the new publishers…
NOW PUBLISHED BY SAGE!
The British Journal of Visual Impairment is for all professionals concerned with children and adults who have a visual impairment and is a forum for all views on related subjects. The purpose of the Journal is to publish (in the English language) articles, reviews and scholarly comment which have been judged worthy of publication by appropriate specialists and accepted by the Editor on studies relating to Visual Impairment
The journal will also publish shorter and less scientifically-oriented accounts from visually impaired people themselves and from their families as they reflect on their experiences. Practitioners are asked to contribute their thoughts, opinions and issues encountered and dealt with in their everyday practice.
The Journal will be international in the sense that it will seek, wherever possible, to publish material from authors with an international reputation and articles that are of interest to an international audience.