Lib Dem MPs see red over treatment of the blind

8.26.35pm GMT Mon 8th Nov 2004

Liberal Democrat MPs in Westminster have reacted strongly to a report from The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association regarding 'The Experiences of Visually Impaired Users of the NHS'.

The Association found that over 95 percent of visually impaired people surveyed have never received a letter or prescription in a format they could read (e.g. braille, large print or email). Further to this, over half felt that access to and within their local general practitioner surgery needed improvement.

An Early Day Motion tabled by Ed Davey MP (LD, Kingston and Surbiton) and supported by Nigel Jones MP (LD, Cheltenham) calls on the Government to address these issues as a priority through firm policy initiatives and the allocation of necessary resources to primary care trusts.

With regard to the need to make services and information fully accessible for blind and partially sighted people, Mr Jones said:

"I find it incredible that in the modern world, with the numerous technologies around us, people who are visually impaired continue to be given such a raw deal by the Labour Government. It is not acceptable for such individuals to have to get a family member or friend to read their prescriptions and letters to them, especially where health issues are involved."