More blind and deaf people in Newcastle are receiving the help they need, and more quickly, thanks to improvements in sensory support services.
Newcastle City Council provides specialist advice, assessment, equipment and rehabilitation to adults with visual impairment, who are hard of hearing, or both – and since March has reduced waiting times for support by more than 80 percent.
Cllr Wendy Taylor, the authority’s Cabinet member for integrated health and adult social care, said: “Our sensory support service helps people to remain independent, safe and connected to their communities through the development of practical skills, access to specialist equipment and maintaining confidence in everyday activities.
“Previously the wait for that support has been far too long, but in the past six months we’ve seen a dramatic improvement in performance, which is having a hugely positive impact on people’s lives.
“We now need to build on that success, to ensure that everyone can access the help they need as soon as possible.”
Performance improving
In a report to Health and Social Care Scrutiny Committee councillors heard that no one in Newcastle now waits longer than 28 days after contacting the Sensory Support Team for an initial conversation.
While the number of people waiting for assessment has fallen from 154 in March to 46 in August, and the average wait time is down from 148 days to 41.
And by the end of 2026 it is expected that no one will wait more than 28 days between their initial conversation and being offered an assessment visit.
That all means more people in need are receiving support more quickly.
The impact of sensory support
As an example of the impact of the support being provided, the committee heard about the service’s work with a blind father looking to take paternity leave to care for his newborn daughter while his wife went back to work.
He was concerned that he would not be able to cope on his own and requested support.
The council’s vision rehabilitation specialists helped him to explore and test systems and equipment so that he could provide the care he wanted.
That included working out food preparation and feeding – with talking measuring scales, liquid level indicators, audible thermometers and labelling systems; child proofing his home; and attaching bells to nappies, so that he could hear his little girl move and crawl.
That empowered him to realise that he could safely meet his family’s needs and together both dad and daughter are thriving.
Plans for further improvement
Over the next 12 months the committee heard that the service will focus on:
- continuing to reduce waiting times so people can access support as quickly as possible.
- ensuring people receive information in ways that work for them.
- increasing awareness and understanding of sensory loss across adult social care and prevention services.
- working with residents, health partners and community organisations to shape future improvements
- exploring the opportunities that assistive technology can provide to help people maintain independence, improve safety and achieve better outcomes
Contact sensory support
For help with sensory issues, or a conversation about other care and support you may need, contact Adult Social CarePoint by:
- emailing ASCP@newcastle.gov.uk
- phoning: 0191 278 7878 and asking for 'Adult Social CarePoint'