ACCESS TO EYE CARE FOR ADULTS WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES

Early day motion 1167, tabled 21 November 2000 by Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru). Signed by 48 members.

That this House congratulates RNIB Multiple Disability Services on their campaign to increase access to eye care for adults with learning difficulties; welcomes the recent launch of RNIB's Right to Sight Video and Resource Pack for staff and information booklets for service users; notes that only a minority of people with learning difficulties have regular eye tests, yet 30 per cent. have serious eye problems; regrets that people with learning difficulties experience prejudice and environmental and other barriers to receiving quality eye care resulting in some being denied eye tests, glasses or eye surgery and even losing their sight unnecessarily; believes that undetected or unaddressed eye problems can reduce a person's autonomy and independence and that earlier detection and treatment would improve people's quality of life and be a more effective use of resources; and calls on the Government to review the arrangements for the funding, provision and quality assurance of eye tests for people with learning difficulties to ensure that their rights under the Patient's Charter become a reality.

Signatures by party: Labour 27, Liberal Democrat 11, Labour/Co-operative 3, Conservative 2, Plaid Cymru 2, UUP 2, Scottish National Party 1.