DH_Choice_and_Control-RNIB：dh_choice_and_control-皇家全国盲人协会.docVIP

January 2011 RNIB Group response to the Department of Health consultation Liberating the NHS: Greater Choice and Control About us RNIB Group is an association of RNIB and Action for Blind People. We are pleased to have the opportunity to respond to this consultation. RNIB is a membership organisation with over 10,000 members who are blind, partially sighted or the friends and family of people with sight loss. 80 per cent of our Trustees and Assembly Members are blind or partially sighted. We encourage members to be involved in our work and regularly consult with them on Government policy and their ideas for change. As a campaigning organisation of blind and partially sighted people, we fight for the rights of people with sight loss in each of the UK’s countries. During the next four years we want to tackle the isolation of sight loss by focusing on three clear priorities: Stopping people losing their sight unnecessarily. Supporting blind and partially sighted people to live independent lives; and Creating a society that is inclusive of blind and partially sighted people. Action for Blind People is one of the largest charities in the UK providing confidential support for blind and partially sighted people in all aspects of their lives. Action ensures that visually impaired people receive help in a range of areas including, but not limited to; finding employment, applying for benefits, housing issues, aids and adaptations, holiday breaks and information on local services. General comments 1. As organisations that are involved in the prevention of blindness and represent the interests of blind and partially sighted people RNIB and Action for Blind People are keenly interested in the way health services for people with eye disease and those with sight loss will be delivered in the future. Eye health promotion, the provision of treatment for sight-threatening eye diseases and the support of people who have lost their sight currently have low priority in the NHS and s