VITAL funding for services which support blind and partially sighted people in York has been withdrawn following a budget review by health bosses.
North Yorkshire and York PCT is to cease funding an Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO) – often the first contact for people diagnosed with a sight condition – and will also cut its cash to an equipment and information centre which provides emotional and practical support.
York Blind And Partially Sighted Society, which runs both services, annually received nearly £21,000 for the ECLO and about £15,500 part funding for the centre. The ECLO post, based at York Hospital, will no longer exist and the centre will have reduced opening hours.
The society’s appeal of the decision has been rejected, with the PCT saying it does not consider the services a “core priority”.
However, the society said 620 people visited the eye clinic service last year and 1,770 people used the centre.
Calling on the PCT to reconsider, Roy Ruddick, the Royal National Institute of Blind People campaigns officer for Yorkshire and Humber, said: “Being told you are losing your sight or have lost your sight can be extremely traumatic. It’s vital people are offered the appropriate and joined up support and services from organisations like York Blind And Partially Sighted Society.”
Diane Roworth, York Blind And Partially Sighted Society chief officer, expressed shock at the decision.
She said: “Sight loss can be devastating. It can lead to depression and isolation and, if help is not available, to increased dependence, social and economic exclusion. We can stop that happening.”
Jason Robertson, of Queen Anne’s Road, York, said the ECLO’s knowledge and support had been “invaluable” to him after being diagnosed with a macular hole condition in both eyes.
He was also offered IT training via the centre enabling him to return to work soon after being diagnosed.
“I don’t think I would have accepted what had happened so quickly if it hadn’t been for these services and for being shown that support is out there and there is a future.”
The PCT claims the service offered by York Blind and Partially Sighted Society is offered by City of York Council. This claim is disputed and formed part of the recent appeal.
The PCT has been invited to the council’s health overview and scrutiny committee on February 20 to discuss its decision.
The PCT was unable to comment last night.
But as reported, it spends more than £5 million annually on voluntary sector services, which prompted a review of those services, making a commitment to protect funding to organisations that provide equitable services to the most vulnerable and elderly.
Eye clinic cuts are sad sign of times
FOR those of us with normal vision, it is hard to imagine what it must be like to go blind. The gradual closing in of your world around you must be an intensely lonely experience.
Family and friends can help, of course. But blind and partially sighted people also need professional support – particularly when they are struggling to come to terms with a new diagnosis. It is desperately sad, therefore, that funding for a vital service run by the York Blind and Partially Sighted Society is to be cut.
NHS North Yorkshire and York, the primary care trust (PCT) which commissions local health care, is to slash almost £37,000 from the society’s budget after an appeal was rejected.
The cuts will mean the loss of a trained staff member at the society’s eye clinic at York Hospital – and a reduction in the number of hours the clinic can open.
The PCT insists the service provided by the society is already offered by City of York Council’s social services.
The society, however, rejects that out of hand. Diana Roworth, its chief officer, said the cuts were shocking – and ill-considered. Sight loss could be devastating, she said, and where help was not available could lead to increased dependence and social and economic exclusion.
The saddest thing of all is that there are almost certainly going to be more cuts where these have come from. And they always seem to start with charitable and voluntary organisations – organisations which provide vital services cheaply and effectively for some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
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