MP Spearheads Guide Dogs Campaign in the Commons

11.06.04

Liberal Democrat MP Edward Davey has joined the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association in their campaign to secure better NHS Services for the visually impaired and plans to table an Early Day Motion to raise awareness in the Commons.

The Access for All: NHS Services Campaign, launched yesterday at an event hosted by Mr Davey, is a direct result of the charity's report on 'The Experiences of Visually Impaired Users of the NHS', which pointed to major flaws in the training of all NHS staff.

Key findings included the fact that over 95 % of visually impaired people surveyed by Guide Dogs have never received letters or prescriptions in a format they could read, and more than 60 % felt that general surgery staff were not aware of their needs. Tom Pey, Director of Policy at Guide Dogs for the Blind, said that most of these grievances "could easily be resolved at no great expense".

Speaking after the campaign's launch yesterday, at which he was a key speaker, Edward Davey MP stated,

"This survey highlights a fundamental lack of understanding of the situation of the visually impaired that urgently needs to be addressed.

"As Tom Pey has pointed out, it does not take much to improve the services available. In many cases all people want is to be helped to a seat in the waiting room or to have signs improved in the hospital. It is often simply a question of raising awareness and providing basic training for frontline NHS staff.

"I will be tabling an Early Day Motion on behalf of Guide Dogs later in the month, calling on the Government to address these issues through firm policy initiatives and the allocation of necessary resources to Primary Care Trusts.

"I am supporting Guide Dogs for the Blind in their fight for better services because it is an issue that affects people everywhere, both nationally and locally in Kingston and Surbiton."

For more information visit the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.