I thank all members who signed the motion so that we could have this members’ business debate, and I thank and welcome the members of the Royal National Institute of Blind People Scotland who are in the public gallery.
Last week, we had the first meeting of the new session of the cross-party group in the Scottish Parliament on visual impairment, and it was certainly very interesting. A host of issues was discussed and debated, and we tried to plan ahead for this year and the coming parliamentary session. A number of members who are in the chamber were at that meeting, and I look forward to listening to their contributions.
I am very pleased to open this debate and to bring to the Parliament the issue of eye health week. Eye health certainly became a more serious issue over the previous session of Parliament and, without any action, it will only get more serious over this session.
This week is national eye health week, which is an opportunity for us all to reflect on one of our senses. We may sometimes take that sense for granted. Life without sight is almost unimaginable, but how many of us give our eyes the care and attention that are required to protect this valued sense?
Every day in Scotland, 10 people lose their sight. Every day, in eye clinics across Scotland, ophthalmologists have to tell patients that their sight loss has deteriorated to such an extent that it is not treatable and that, consequently, they are blind or partially sighted. The impact on the individual and their family can be devastating. Questions about whether the individual can keep their job, and questions about driving and getting about, socialising, going to sport, and seeing their wife, husband, children or grandchildren race through their mind before the reality of living with sight loss sets in.
There are challenges on the horizon for Scotland’s eye health. Our ageing population brings with it associated eye disease; the rise of diabetes is driving up the number of Scots with diabetic retinopathy, which can cause blindness if it is not treated; and Scotland’s welcome growing diversity brings with it diverse eye health challenges. The RNIB has stated that, currently, more than 188,000 Scots are living with significant sight loss. It is projected that, by 2030, that figure will more than double to nearly 400,000 people. Given that eye clinics are already the busiest part of out-patient services in the national health service, I do not have to go into detail about the pressures that increased sight loss will bring if we do not take further action.
There are bright spots. Around 50 per cent of sight loss is avoidable if it is detected early, and there are new technologies, through drug treatment and NHS efficiency, but we still need to do more. The gain to the individual, who need not lose their sight, is incalculable. The cost to the public purse can be all too predictable.
I am privileged to be the convener of the cross-party group in the Scottish Parliament on visual impairment; I was its convener in the previous parliamentary session, too. I know that our cross-party group has been well run for many years, even before I became its convener.
It is important to realise and highlight that, where the visual impairment sector comes together to have detailed, effective and vibrant discussion about the future of eye care and the provision of services for blind and partially sighted people, from newly born babies with sight loss through people at school and work to people in retirement and old age, it supports people with sight loss across the generations. That is what our cross-party group manages to do.
Despite these uncertain times and against the backdrop of financial pressures, there are certainly some positive policy developments. Eye health has been on the Government’s agenda and radar for some time, and the sector is coming together and speaking with one voice to an extent that has not been seen before. Key developments in recent years, including the Scottish vision strategy, the see hear strategy, and the getting it right for every child approach, have made a positive difference.
The Scottish vision strategy is a cross-sector framework to improve provision for eye health and sight loss, which aims to ensure that
“Everyone in Scotland knows how to look after their eyes”,
that
“Everyone with an eye condition receives timely treatment and, if permanent sight loss occurs, there are early and appropriate services and support”
and that Scotland is
“A society where people with sight loss can fully participate.”
The see hear strategy, which was launched by the Scottish Government in 2014, raised the profile of sensory impairments. Most notably, the strategy called for consistency in how services are planned and commissioned across Scotland’s 32 local authorities, each of which had to set up local implementation groups. It also called for a move towards joint sensory services for those who are experiencing sight and/or hearing loss.
Then there is the GIRFEC approach, which was enshrined in law by the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 and which states that all children, including those with a visual impairment, should be supported to address their wellbeing needs throughout their lives. The GIRFEC principles were built upon in the 2012 Doran review, which examined learning provision for children with complex additional support needs, including visual impairment. In recent years, there has been a presumption that these children should be educated in mainstream schools except under exceptional circumstances.
There are organisations that work tirelessly to fight for blind and partially sighted people, to prevent avoidable blindness and to ensure the best outcomes for those with visual impairments. I put on record my particular thanks to third sector organisations such as RNIB Scotland, Guide Dogs Scotland, the Royal Blind charity and the many local societies, from Sight Action in Inverness to North East Sensory Services—NESS—in the north-east, Vision PK in Perth and Kinross and Visibility. Their work to bring to our attention the cause of blind and partially sighted people is second to none and, as a Parliament, we are fortunate to have such persistent advocates.
Although the Scottish Government has ensured investment in eye health, has retained provision of free eye health checks and is committed to tackling the rise in sight loss, we certainly can always do more.
Yesterday, I helped at the RNIB Scotland stand in Greenock’s Oak Mall shopping centre. My thanks go to the Oak Mall centre’s management for allowing the stall and to RNIB Scotland for agreeing to come again to Greenock. We spoke to a large number of people locally and raised the importance of having regular eye tests. The reception on the whole was good and many people informed us that they get regular check-ups, which was heartening to hear. However, promoting free eye tests to wider society is vital, especially among vulnerable groups, where awareness has been found to be lower.
Scottish Government public eye health campaigns have proved useful, and I look forward to seeing the results of the community optometry service review as we seek to improve eye health across Scotland.
In promoting the motion, I hope to bring greater focus and resulting action from our NHS and the Scottish Government on sight loss, to the benefit of us all.