Changes to Devon in Sight Services
Due to the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we have suspended our normal Community Support Service to provide specific telephone-based advice and support on a whole range of issues which people with sight loss are facing on a daily basis.
Devon in Sight Helpline 01392 876 666
If you or a family member have sight loss and need any support at the moment please contact our Helpline 01392 876 666 or email enquiries@devoninsight.org.uk and one of our team will get back to you.
There are times when head office staff are homeworking, messages may initially go to our answerphone, but they get passed on to our team immediately and we will get back to you as soon as a member of staff is available.
Our helpline opening hours are Monday - Thursday 10am - 2pm.
The impact of Coronavirus COVID-19 on the lives of people with sight loss
These are challenging and unprecedented times which are effecting all of us. However, for people with sight loss, the impact on daily life has been even greater.
Lots of us have turned to the internet and social media to carry on as best we can with daily life, but many of our clients do not have access to technology to keep in touch friends and family, or to try and book a slot for a home delivery.
Issues and concerns which local people have raised with us include:
- How to access the latest public health information on COVID-19 in an accessible format
- Accessing information on changes to local services such as hospitals and GP services
- How to deal with social distancing
- Whether people can walk their guide dogs
- Help to collect prescriptions
- Arrange for a local volunteer to help with food deliveries
- Having people to talk to about their concerns when their regular social groups and contact with people in the local community have abruptly stopped
- For people with other health issues, how will they cope with self-isolating for weeks or months
We can help
Over the last few months we have helped people by:
- Providing information on changes to local health and social care services
- Providing information on changes to services being provided by the hospital eye units and outreach clinics
- Providing an opportunity for people to talk through their concerns, and to provide reassurance about the support which is available
- Networking with other local agencies who are providing home deliveries and support for vulnerable groups
- Helping people make best use of their ipads or computers to stay in contact with family and to access local information
- Providing guidance to family members living out of the area about how they can help, and services are available locally
- Providing advice and support to carers of people with sight loss who no longer have regular support at home
- If we can’t answer a question, we’ll find someone that can!
Other sources of Coronavirus Advice
Here are some useful sources of advice on the Coronavirus and the impact on local and national eye services, which we will be updating regularly.
Government
UK Government Advice
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
General Coronavirus Advice
Audio advice on handwashing
https://www.iapb.org/wp-content/uploads/Handwashing-Advice-for-Blind-People.mp3
BBC Website
NHS Advice
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Sight Loss FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions relating to Coronavirus
https://www.sightadvicefaq.org.uk/independent-living/Covid-19
National Charities
Blind Veteran UK Coronavirus Service Update
https://www.blindveterans.org.uk/coronavirus-covid-19-updates/
Advice for friends, family and volunteers
Advice on helping people with sight loss with home shopping
Guide Dogs Coronavirus Advice
https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/coronavirus/Services
Macular Society
https://www.macularsociety.org/coronavirus
Injection treatment: Latest advice from the Royal College of Ophthalmologists
https://www.macularsociety.org/injection-treatment-latest-advice-royal-college-ophthalmologists
Top tips for travelling to your injections
https://www.macularsociety.org/top-tips-travelling-your-injections
RNIB Coronavirus Advice
https://www.rnib.org.uk/covid-19
Hospitals
Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital (including the West of England Eye Unit)
https://www.rdemembers.com/coronavirus/
Torbay Hospital
Local Council
Devon County Council
https://www.devon.gov.uk/coronavirus-advice-in-devon/
East Devon District Council
Mid Devon District Council
https://www.middevon.gov.uk/residents/coronavirus-covid-19-service-updates/
Torbay Council
https://www.torbay.gov.uk/health-and-wellbeing/public-health/coronavirus/
West Devon District Council
https://www.westdevon.gov.uk/article/6652/Coronavirus-information-and-advice
If you are aware of other useful information which we can add to this page, please email Jennie on enquiries@devoninsight.org.uk
Information from our Local Teams
Local communities have been amazing in responding to this current situation so quickly, with new initiatives springing up every day.
Our staff are in regular contact with a wide range of local agencies so that we can make sure people with sight loss get the support they need, so do give us a call on 01392 876666.
Here are some useful contact details for support in your area.
