This page is concerned with Low Vision service in Derbyshire. As we cover two Local Authorities there are two leaflets depending whether the patient lives in the County or the City.
Derbyshire County Council Low Vision Leaflet
Derby City Council Low Vision Leaflet
If a patient is registered vision impaired or severely vision impaired or their vision is affected so they could be registered they are entitled to use the Low Vision service. Details of this can be found in the pathways section.
For information here is a copy of a certificate of vision impairment:
certificate-of-vision-impairment-form
There have been concerns raised about the support for young adults with visual impairment. This is a guide to the services available to them.
Information and support for young people with a Visual Impairment aged 16-20 and their families
Sight support Derbyshire (SSD)
SSD provide a wide range of services to people with sight loss living in Derbyshire. Some services are open to everyone; some are provided on behalf of other agencies and eligibility criteria may apply. If you see someone who you think would benefit from thier services, you can either refer them directly, or pass SSD contact details and ask the person (or their family/carer) to contact them directly.
Does the patient need to be registered with a certificate of visual impairment (CVI)? People do not need to be registered or have a CVI in order to receive help and support from Sight Support Derbyshire (SSD). If they require a low vision assessment or rehabilitation services they should be registered, or registerable (ideally with a CVI).
Sight Support Derbyshire will provide information and advice to anyone in Derbyshire concerned about sight loss. They can help with information about eye conditions, services such as Talking Books, support groups, and with equipment such as talking clocks, magnifiers and lighting Eligibility may depend on being registered and/or on home address or GP address – ring SSD to find out.)
How do I refer a patient to be registered for a CVI?
If the patient may qualify to be registered, and would like to be registered for a CVI please refer them to the Chesterfield Royal Hospital eye centre or Royal Derby Eye Clinic directly to be registered by an Ophthalmologist. Any active pathology referrals need to be referred for BEFORE this step.
If the person has a CVI, information will be sent automatically by the hospital to the relevant Local Authority. The Local Authority will then (with the person’s permission) pass the details on to SSD and they will contact the person to see how they can help.
How do I arrange a low vision assessment for a patient?
Unless the person is already in contact with an opticians practice that is currently part of the Derbyshire Low Vision Service, it is best for referrals to come through SSD. This also means that they can help with any other sight loss issues in the one referral.
How do I refer to SSD?
A referral can be made by telephone, in writing, via theirr website or if you are an ‘eye care professional’ and likely to need to refer regularly, SSD can email you their referral form. The details below are for North and South Derbyshire patients.
Website: www.sightsupportderbyshire.org.uk
Contact Us:
- Phone: 01332 292262, 9.00am – 4.30pm