RNIB reacts to Queen's Speech

Charity the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) called on the government to adequately fund the new arrangements set out in the Care Bill in last week's Queen's Speech.

The charity commented that without adequate funding the bill would deliver very little change in the fortunes of blind and partially sighted people who needed care and support. 'The key areas that need prioritising if the bill is to deliver for blind and partially sighted adults are re-ablement, assesments and eligibility,' said Steve Winyard, head of policy and campaigns at the RNIB.

He added that access to care and support was the critical issue for people with sight loss and there had been a reduction in the numbers accessing the system in recent years. The number of blind and partially sighted adults receiving social care services had dropped by 36 per cent since 2005.