A J Blaikie¹, L Middleton¹, J Ravenscroft¹, L Cresswell²
¹University of Edinburgh, Visual Impairment Scotland, Scottish Sensory Centre, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; ²Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Community Paediatrics, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Purpose and Background
Certification and Registration of children with visual impairment in Scotland should act as a 'passport' to access benefits, concessions and services to ensure children with visual impairment are provided with the best opportunities to fulfil their potential. A recent study revealed however that more than 50% of parents were not aware of receiving any benefits as a result of registration. For the 'passport' to be effective the four main agencies (Special Education Services, Social Work, Community Paediatrics and Ophthalmology Departments) need to communicate with each other.
The purpose of this study is to describe the communication links between this multi-agency support team in Scotland.
Methods
All ophthalmologists and community paediatricians in Scotland involved in the care of children with visual impairment were sent a structured history document.
Results
The response rate was over 80%.
All community paediatricians felt that it was important that children with visual impairment are referred to their service as soon as possible after the impairment is diagnosed however most felt that half or less of children are referred at an early enough stage to prevent avoidable developmental delay.
Only a minority of community paediatric departments are notified routinely by their local Social Work Department or Special Education Service of new children with visual impairment. All community paediatricians felt that it would be helpful if these agencies shared information with them.
Less than half the ophthalmologists independently inform either community paediatrics or special education of the existence of a new child with visual impairment.
Conclusions
The communication links between the support agencies that care for children with visual impairment in Scotland are fragmented and poorly formalised. This leads to delayed and haphazard service delivery.
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