§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what response he has sent to the recent submission by the Improving Lives Coalition on priorities in health and social care for blind and partially sighted people. [40893]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 7 March 2002]: A major conclusion of Improving Lives was that large numbers of people who are eligible for registration as blind or partially sighted are not registered. We recognise this problem and the Department has set up a group to investigate ways to improve the way we notify and register sight loss. This group includes representatives of several members of the Improving Lives Coalition.
We have also awarded the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) and the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association (GDBA) jointly a project grant to develop visual care standards based on Improving Lives.