A general practice model for low vision: lessons learned in Wales

The Low Vision Service Wales (LVSW) was founded in 2004 with the aim of providing a better quality of care that was available closer to people’s homes and facilitating rapid service access. The service has been found to be as effective as traditional hospital-based services and effective over the longer term (Court et al. 2011; Ryan et al. 2013). In 2015, 11 years after the establishment of the service, the LVSW had completely replaced all secondary care-based low-vision services in Wales. During 2016 over 8000 patients were seen within the service, which is provided by practitioners who have undergone further postgraduate training and a process of service accreditation. Access to the service is open, with referrals being accepted from any source, including the patients themselves. As a Welsh Government-funded service, the low-vision assessment is free at point of contact, with any low-vision aids issued being supplied on a loan basis. Eligibility is based on clinical need, thus, despite the majority of the patient base being over the age of 80, children and younger adults are also seen within the service. Multidisciplinary working is core to the success of the LVSW, as is ensuring good access for patients in a country which presents geographic challenges. The LVSW is regularly audited, with the aim of using audit results to develop the service further and inform the training needs of the workforce