What do the teams do?

• The team has specialist non-medical knowledge of eye conditions that can cause sight loss and can give advice on the impact of each condition and how to maximise remaining vision.
• Assessment of a person’s needs in relation to their vision would be undertaken to ascertain what level of functioning a person has and/or is able to achieve. A number of recommendations and a Goal Plan would be agreed with the individual. This may include information and advice, a structured training programme of specific skills and various items of specialist equipment.
• A person’s physical and cognitive difficulties may impact on their ability to achieve visual rehabilitation goals. If a person has a cognitive impairment and is unable to retain new information or if they are physically unable to undertake tasks, Visual Impairment Rehabilitation may not be suitable.
• Low vision – specialist knowledge and skills on low vision devices and magnifiers, high-tech video magnifiers, the use of non-optical devices, and training a person to make the most of their vision by using specific sight strategies. The Sensory Team do not provide low vision devices. These are provided by the hospital Low Vision Aid Clinic and referrals can be made via a person’s GP.
• Orientation and Mobility - to enable vision impaired people to get about safely both indoors and outdoors. Providing training in the use of mobility aids, such as white canes, route training in specific areas eg. teaching the route to the shops or work. Developing orientation techniques (use of auditory and tactile information) and building confidence to become an independent traveller.
• Independent Living Skills – developing a visually impaired person’s activities of daily living. For example kitchen skills, making a hot/cold drink, preparation of snacks and cooking a meal, cleaning the home. Skills for managing personal care, such as applying make-up, shaving and dressing, and identifying and taking medication appropriately.
• Communication skills – developing communication and information skills including written formats, using the telephone, accessing audible information using CDs/memory sticks, using IT equipment with specialist software and hardware equipment, that also enables access the internet.
• Skills training takes place over a period of weeks, the length of which would be determined by the individual’s needs and their progress.

GDA team

The team has specialist knowledge of equipment to maximise hearing for people who are hard of hearing and alerting equipment for individuals who are deaf.

The team receives referrals from the Sensory Team and assess individuals for equipment to enable a person to live confidently and safely in their home which can include:

• Flashing/amplified bells
• Telephone alerts and amplifiers
• TV listeners
• Personal listeners
• Smoke alarms to be alerted at night to fire
• Pager systems for people who are deaf