New service reduces isolation for people with sight loss

21st May 2016

Being told you will lose some or all of your vision can be devastating news.

But now a new service, based within Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, will offer emotional and practical support to people across all of the Highlands who have been diagnosed with sight loss.

The Vision Support Service, established by sight loss charity RNIB Scotland in partnership with NHS Highland, will provide vital help and encouragement to allow people to come to terms with losing their vision

Campbell Chalmers, director of RNIB Scotland, said: "We can give people the help and reassurance they need to find their lives again.

"Every day in Scotland, ten people begin to lose their sight, but only one in six will be offered support. Yet without this, people may lose confidence and find it difficult to cope, leading to social isolation and depression."

Jan Baird, director of adult care at NHS Highland, said "The Vision Support Service will offer a dedicated and sympathetic service for those newly diagnosed with sight loss. It will help people maintain independence and well being; refer them where appropriate to statutory and voluntary services such as Sight Action and provide relevant information for family, friends and carers."

The Vision Support Service is available on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Ophthalmology Out Patients Department, Raigmore Hospital. Contact Mark Forsbury on 07540 800 990 or email Mark.Forsbury@rnib.org.uk

Contact for RNIB Scotland - IAN BROWN on 0131 652 3164 or mobile 07918 053 952.