Update on the UK Vision Strategy Phil Ambler Operations and Information Manager UK Vision Strategy

The UK Vision Strategy seeks a major transformation in the UK’s eye health, eye care and sight loss services.

UK Vision Strategy The UK Vision Strategy is the response of the UK to the World Health Organisation’s Vision 2020 resolution to: –eliminate avoidable sight loss by the year –improve services for people with sight loss. The UK Government has pledged its support for this resolution.

The UK Vision Strategy Initial Symposium April 2007 Launched in April 2008 Commended by the Secretary of State for Health

What is so special about the UK Vision Strategy? It is based on partnership working and is headed up by leaders from right across the eye health and sight loss sector. Over 650 people gave their input during the consultation. Implementation plans have been created for all four countries

UK Vision Strategy: Key Outcomes The UK Vision Strategy focuses on three key outcomes: Outcome 1: Improving the eye health of the people of the UK. Outcome 2: Eliminating avoidable sight loss and delivering excellent support for people with visual impairment. Outcome 3: Inclusion, participation and independence for people with sight loss.

What will success look like: Prioritisation of eye health and sight loss by the Governments across the UK Changes in attitude to eye health, leading to improved eye health Changes that have positive impact on the lives of people with sight loss and people using eye health services Reduction of barriers to people with sight loss

Understanding and influencing local strategies Creation of a high level questionnaire for comparison longitudinally and geographically Management information system developed to analyse data from over 120 local areas Identification of gaps in provision Use of data to define local strategy

Key highlights from questionnaire Sent in spring 2011 to active areas 95% of active areas have cross sector working 47% Public Health strategies recognised the links between smoking, obesity and diabetes to sight loss Only 42% of local areas have completed a health inequalities survey in the past two years

Key highlights from questionnaire (continued) 67% have employment initiatives which take account of blind and partially sighted people Over 40% of areas indicated a lack of appropriate provision for education and transport needs 84% provide emotional support through Eye Clinic Liaison Officers or their equivalents

Outcomes of UK Vision Strategy Over 50 local areas engaged with the UK Vision Strategy across the country. The DH developed World Class Commissioning guidance 'Improving Eye Health Services' which linked to the UK Vision Strategy and carried our logo on the front cover. Earl Howe has stated that he supports the aims of the UK Vision Strategy and committed to promote this publicly.

Outcomes of UK Vision Strategy Multiple conferences promoting eye health and sight loss services Launch of EPIC which will have its 4th tendering stage to bring the number of pilot sites up to 20 in September. Currently leading on producing eye care and sight loss commissioning guidance to the emerging GP Consortia. GP Access Awareness sessions

Going forward Engage with remaining areas across UK to drive the Strategy forward Provide deeper level of understanding of data submitted by local areas Monitor changes on six monthly and annual basis to prioritise actions and identify successes

Going forward Nationally raise importance of eye care and sight loss services Engage further with politicians and Government Ensure that work encompasses all outcomes of the UK Vision Strategy through collaborative working

Update on the UK Vision Strategy Phil Ambler Operations and Information Manager UK Vision Strategy