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Vision UK 2012 Conference - Early bird rates available until 30th March 2012 at last year's prices!
Bookings for the Vision UK 2012 conference have now opened and early bird rates are available until 30th March 2012 at 2011 prices. This year's conference called 'Improving outcomes, increasing value' takes place on Tuesday 12th June at the Queen Elizabeth II conference centre, Westminster, London.
Vision UK 2012 is the only conference in the UK which offers the opportunity to engage with the whole eye health and sight loss sector. Key topics will include preventable sight loss as a public health priority, improving community eye care and sight services and the launch of 'seeing it my way - a quality and outcomes framework for blind and partially sighted people'.
Delegates will have the chance to share and learn from examples of good practice and innovation as well as debate the wider social and economic issues around sight services.
How to reserve your place
Book your place now and read the provisional programme for the latest updates
How much does it cost?
***Early bird rates (Before 30th March 2012) ***
Voluntary sector £66 Inc. VAT, Non-voluntary sector £114 Inc. VAT
Full rate after 30th March 2012
Voluntary sector £84 Inc. VAT, Non-voluntary sector £174 Inc.VAT
Government commit to tackling avoidable sight loss
Today's announcement by the Government that it is making eye health a public health priority has been welcomed by the UK Vision Strategy, a united cross-sector initiative.
The Public Health Outcomes Framework, launched today by the Government, includes an eye health indicator. This indicator will track the rates of three major causes of sight loss including glaucoma, age related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy. In many cases sight loss from these eye conditions can be prevented if detected and treated earlier.
Lesley-Anne Alexander, Chair, UK Vision Strategy partnership and Chief Executive, RNIB said: "We are delighted the Government has turned the spotlight on improving the eye health of the nation. This is a major breakthrough for tackling avoidable sight loss.
"It should help prevent many more people from losing their sight and could potentially make significant savings for the new NHS. We look forward to working closely with the new NHS and Public Health England to make this vision a reality".
For more information, spokespeople or case studies please contact Katherine Huntly, UK Vision Strategy Communications Manager on 0207 391 2177. If you are calling out of hours please call 07824431960.
The eye health indicator in the Public Health Outcomes Framework will measure the rate of sight loss through chronic glaucoma, age related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy per 100,000 of the population. The data used will be based on CVI (certificate of visual impairment) registrations and will be measured annually.
The indicator should enable the eye health and sight loss sector to work with the new NHS and Public Health England to improve eye health and counter issues of inequality across England
The UK Vision Strategy Partnership including Royal National Institute of Blind People, Royal College of Ophthalmologists, the Optical Confederation and College of Optometrists lobbied for a Public Health Outcomes Indicator to be included in the Public Health Outcomes Framework
Take part in 'Seeing it my way'
Help us make sure every blind and partially sighted person has access to the same range of information, advice and practical support by encouraging them to take part in 'Seeing it my way'.
'Seeing it my way' is a new initiative developed so that every person with sight loss across the UK gets the support they need. It sets out a range of outcomes that people have told us are important to them, such as the need for emotional support, mobility and independence.
Developed by the sight loss sector, 'Seeing it my way' is endorsed by the UK Vision Strategy.
So that 'Seeing it my way' can really make a difference in changing sight loss services, we need feedback from blind and partially sighted people to make sure we have the right outcomes.
Whilst the closing date for 'Seeing it my way' has now passed, if you still have responses and feedback to submit, please do return it to us in an envelope and simply address to: FREEPOST UK VISION STRATEGY.
Seeing it My Way response form (Pdf)
Seeing it My Way response form (Word)
Seeing it My Way easy read version (Pdf)
Seeing it My Way easy read version (Word)
Commissioning to maximise value
Clear, easy-to-navigate guidance for commissioning by clinical commissioning groups and PCT clusters is now available at www.commissioningforeyecare.org.uk. The guidance, supported by examples of good practice, focuses on eye care, but is applicable for commissioning across a much broader range.
Covering all areas of the commissioning processes and along with links to additional information, it will support delivery of the QIPP agenda by ensuring value and maximising benefit. It has been developed by a partnership from across health care and the voluntary sector. This group also includes patient representation.
NHS Alliance Chief Executive, Michael Sobanja, says: The key thing that makes this commissioning guidance different to all others is that it is about ensuring that the resources available, no matter how big or small the pot, are used most effectively and to give maximum value in every sense.
This new guidance enables practitioner and patients alike to contribute to the commissioning process to ensure that local provision meets the needs of all groups within their population.
Publication of Healthy Lives, Healthy People
Ministerial statement from the Department of Health
The Secretary of State for Health (Mr Andrew Lansley): "Today I am laying before Parliament Healthy Lives, Healthy People: Update and way forward (Cm 8132), which sets out the progress we have made in developing our vision for public health, and a timeline for completing the operational design of this work through a series of Public Health System Reform Updates..."
Read more
Part of the EPIC project, Sandwell launches new vision strategy
Sandwell's vision strategy shows how they will improve services for people in Sandwell with visual impairments, prevent sight loss and promote eye health.Download their Strategy or find out more about becoming an EPIC site.
Vision UK 2011
Video highlights from the day:
A look at the some of the day on film, see Lord Howe answering your questions, Alistair Burns, national clinical director for Dementia, Bob Hughes presentation and indepth interviews with Nick Astbury and Michael Sobanja: optometrytodayTV.Presentations:
Word and PDF versions of various speakers' PowerPoint presentations are now available to download.
The UK Vision Strategy is uniting all those in the UK who want to take action on issues relating to vision.
For the first time, visually impaired people, eye health and social care professionals, and statutory and voluntary organisations, have come together to improve eye care and sight loss services.
Developed in response to the World Health Assembly VISION 2020 resolution, the UK Vision Strategy aims to reduce avoidable sight loss by the year 2020 and improve support and services for blind and partially sighted people.
