Thousands of patients are to gain quicker access to social care following Department of Health approval of changes to registering people as having vision impairment.
The DoH announced this week that in response to consultation the Letter of Vision Impairment (LVI) will be replaced by a Low Vision Leaflet (LVL) from next month.
The LVI has been the leaflet which optometrists have given visually impaired patients to enable them to 'self-refer' for information about suitable social care services and rehabilitation, and request an assessment of their needs.
Following talks with the profession and others - including government departments and voluntary organisations working in the field of visual impairment - the leaflet will be an easier-to-use form for both optometrists and patients.
An example of the LVL will be available on the Department of Health's website from September, and a 'toolkit', in the form of a PowerPoint presentation is also being developed for release next month.
The old BD8 form, used by hospital eye clinics will no longer be used from September 1. It will be replaced by a revised Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI).
The DoH has also said that the Referral of Vision Impaired Patient (RVI) can be issued by eye clinics and high street optometrists. They can be used to alert social services to the needs of people with vision impairments 'in a timely manner and in advance of certification'.
