NEWHAM LOCAL SERVICES
Healthwatch Newham:
Healthwatch Newham is the health and social care champion for local residents. Please click here for a copy for their latest eBulletin.
Sight Loss Pathways
Stage 1
Local eye health campaigns promote eye-health awareness and encourage you to visit your local Optician.
• GPs in your area (www.nhs.uk/ServiceSearch/GP/LocationSearch/4)
• Local Opticians (includes domiciliary) (www.mylocaloptician.co.uk)
• Enhanced eye checks for people with Learning Disabilities: SeeAbility
T: 013 7275 5066 E: myeyecare@seeability.org
• Information on opticians that monitor specific eye conditions and low vision. Local Optical Committee (LOC) East London & City
admin@elcloc.org. www.elcloc.org.
• Local Optical Committee Support Unit (LOCSU) (www.locsu.co.uk)
Stage 2
You, a family member or carer raises concerns about your sight,
Your optometrist (optician) notes abnormality during regular eye test
Your GP suspects loss of vision.
Stage 3
Wherever possible your optician treats and/or monitors your eye condition OR… You or a professional refers you to an Ophthalmologist or community low vision clinic who diagnoses your eye condition and issues you with a Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI) appropriate to your eye condition.
• Moorfields Eye Hospital: 020 7253 3411 info@moorfields.nhs.uk
(NB: Moorfields Outpost at Ludwig Guttman Health Centre, Stratford)
• Whipps Cross (Eye Treatment Centre) T: 020 3416 5000 E: communications@bartshealth.nhs.uk
• Royal London Hospital: T 020 7377 7000
Stage 4
You receive treatment. Most sight loss is treatable and preventable. Early treatment can make the difference.
If significant sight loss is permanent your ophthalmologist should issue a Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI) appropriate to your eye condition.
Stage 5
A professional refers you to meet your Eye Care Liaison Officer (ECLO) who guides you through the next stages.
• ECLO (Moorfields) T: 020 7566 2385
• ECLO (Whipps Cross): T: 020 8539 5522
Stage 6
You can register as blind or partially sighted, and /or
You, your carer, your advocate are advised on benefits/support available and how to access them.
• Registration: The benefits of registration: 0303 123 999 (RNIB Helpline) (www.rnib.org.uk/livingwithsightloss/registeringsightloss/pages/registration_benefits.aspx)
• Payments and Benefits Advice Service: Community Links T: 020 7473 2270
Stage 7
Your specific needs are assessed (Specialist assessment of Visual Impairment social care).
• Adult Sensory Team: Information & Equipment Demonstration Area (IEDA) T: 020 8430 2000 (option 8) E: IEDA@newham.gov.uk or
Accessto.AdultsSocialCareTeam@newham.gov.uk (new enquiries)
• Children’s Sensory Service. T: 020 3373 2197 E: Sadek.Ahmed@newham.co.uk
Stage 8
You begin rehabilitation with local sensory team,
Day-to-day community social care begins,
Carers receive respite care
• Newham Carers Network: T: 020 8519 0800
Stage 9
You are enabled to live an active, independent, and fulfilling life.
• Local user led support and activity group: East London Vision (ELVis)
T: 0203 697 6464 E: enquiries@eastlondonvision.org.uk
• RNIB Sightline Directory – a comprehensive online database of VI services. Enter postcode and it lists services in the area: (www.sightlinedirectory.org.uk)
Created by London Visual Impairment Forum (LVIF) (SEPT 2014)
T: 07875 541155 E: Sharon.schaffer@lvif.co.uk
Wider Avenues of Support For Vision Impairment
Thomas Pocklington Trust
020 8995 0880 info@pocklington-trust.org.uk
Housing and support for people with sight loss, including Research, Tele, Email & Link-Up Befriending schemes.
Seeability
01372 755 000 enquiries@seeability.org
Provides support for people who are visually impaired but also have other disabilities, such as mental health problems, mobility impairment or learning disabilities.
Sense
0300 330 9256 or 020 7520 0972 info@sense.org.uk
Textphone: 0300 330 9256 or 020 7520 0972
A national charity supporting and campaigning for deafblind people.
RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People)
0303 123 9999 helpline@rnib.org.uk
Offers a telephone counselling service for those having difficulties coming to come to terms with their sight loss, as well as a wealth of practical information for parents, carers and the visually impaired people.
RLSB (Royal London Society for Blind People)
020 7808 6170 enquiries@rlsb.org.uk
Focuses particularly on supporting the education and skill development of blind and partially sighted children & young people in London.
Partially Sighted Society
0844 477 4966 info@partsight.org.uk
Provides equipment (such as magnifiers) and information (on matters such as lighting) for individuals to make the most of their remaining sight.
Metro Blind Sport
Mo Brace (Membership Secretary)
01708 456832 mo.brace@metroblindsport.org
Metro is a London based Sports and Social Club for blind and partially sighted people of all ages.
Macular Society
01264 350 551 info@macularsociety.org
Offers support and information on macular disease and central vision loss, and has branches throughout UK.
Guide Dogs
0118 983 5555 guidedogs@guidedogs.org.uk
Organises and trains dogs for the visual impaired, as a charity their primary interest lies in enabling the mobility of the visually impaired.
Deaf Blind UK
Tel/Textphone: 01733 358 100 info@deafblind.org.uk
Specialises in supporting those experiencing dual sensory loss, in particular in enabling deaf blind individuals to communicate and express themselves to the wider world.
Blind Veterans UK
020 7723 5021/0800 389 7979 information@blindveterans.org.uk
www.noonealone.org.uk
Provides physical and emotional support for ex-service men and women to enable them to live as independently as possible.
Blind Children UK
0800 781 1444 services@blindchildrenuk.org
Helping children and young people with visual impairment.
BlindAid
020 7403 6184 enquires@blindaid.org.uk
Home visiting service, telephone befriending and annual events for people with a visual impairment in the 13 inner London boroughs.
ACTION for Blind People
020 7635 4800 helpline@rnib.org.uk
Provides practical information for people with visual impairment, as well as information and the contact details for local groups and services. It is part of the RNIB Group.
Created by London Visual Impairment Forum (LVIF) (JAN 2014)
Support For Vision Impairment In Newham
VIPON (Vision Impaired People Of Newham)
Contact via East London Vision (ELVis)
T: 0203 697 6464
E: enquiries@eastlondonvision.org.uk
Newham Eye2Eye
Christine Dolyak
T: 020 8553 3033
E: christine@guidemail.co.uk
Newham Talking Newspaper Association
T : 07706 650387
E: newhamtalkingnewspaper@gmail.com
W: ntna.online
Newham Voluntary Association for Blind
Address: 254 Katherine Road, London E7 8PN
Tel:020 8472 6139
Deafblind UK (Newham)
Tania Dee
T: 07920 802673
E: Tania.Dee@deafblind.org.uk