Kris to send out a memo to medical and nursing staff to explain Hilary's role.

Carl and Hilary invited to attend an awareness afternoon in August that Kris is organising- date TBA, Beatrice asked to see an outline of any training being delivered.

Kris to draft a procedure to be followed by staff.

Kris confirmed that numbers at the low vision clinic have now picked up and there is a 12-week waiting list because of staff shortages (Kris not been replaced).

Providing one magnifier, rarely two and currently no follow up (usually 1/2 months) due to the staffing shortages. Beatrice asked if Kris is referring to RO's to look at the home situ.

Cases remain open in clinic up to 3 months, 3-12 months the case is referred to Kris for a decision, 12+ months - to GP. Noted at Walton cases are held open for 6 months.

Concern regarding the waiting time from GP to consultant, as GP's cannot refer directly to the low vision clinic.

Currently getting equipment back from Stores to replace issued equipment.

Peter is to do an audit and top up core stocks to the agreed level, no date yet for this.

Carl had circulated the core stock list, nothing to add.

Hilary was advised not to record signature guides as a piece of equipment, as it creates problems for Admin.

Noted Stores will deliver radios/cassettes and braillers.

Equipment is being taken out by RO's on the 2^nd visit with SAP paperwork/red files. Considered too tiring at the 1^st visit, as the assessment takes an hour. In cases where Hilary has already seen them and delivered information, it was agreed equipment could be given out.

Noted reviews need to be marked as visit or telephone.

WRVS are continuing to stock kettle tippers, but not issuing to VI service users. What types are stocked, as cordless kettles now widely used.

WRVS - a new list of equipment has been agreed with Peter at Stores, Mary to circulate when available.

Agreed Fisher Sticks, 2 of each, right and left to be kept as a minimum stock in Stores, to avoid special orders.

Symbol cane, to look at giving out one size only. Agreed to work towards 70cm cane. Change of suppliers from RNIB to SW Retailers.

Talking tins and yellow watches now in stock, portable lamps not yet.

Low vision aids are still in stock, but not being issued. Ann has written to Legal for advice and will compile a report for Derek Jones.

All BD8 files from Waterloo Town Hall are now in the area offices.

Beatrice to speak to Helen/Alma regarding cleansing of the registers. Mary advised these figures are being used to complete Government returns and must be corrected urgently.

Also need to look at accurately recording deafblind activity, as this is now included within the SAS return (completed by Ann Geadah).

Need to identify staff time to do all of this. Mary passed some information on short term work placements to Beatrice to consider.

Noted the Swift User Group is to be revamped.

Hilary has contacted 2 people from Southport to advise them they are now on SS waiting list, nothing yet from the Maghull team. Feedback is that service user's appreciated the call.

Beatrice to check with Neil any issues at Maghull.

Noted these calls are only to those seen and referred by Hilary. Are the others getting a letter from admin? Carl advised there are none on file recently. Beatrice to raise it with Helen. Carl advised letters should be in large print.

Beatrice showed the Cheshire booklet as a good example. We need to look at publishing such a booklet.

Need to work in partnership with the VI Forum and include the groups represented.

Beatrice and Mary to pick up any useful information at the NOS conference on 14^th June.

Agreed to bring everything we have to the next meeting to discuss and to contact Cheshire for a costing.

Beatrice to speak to Lou regarding a CR1 form, as this constitutes consultation.

To consider partner agencies for some funding, such as Sefton Equalities Partnership, Children's Services.

Need to cleanse the register first.

Need to generate an unscheduled review (annual letter) in the system, need a mechanism in place.

Nothing in place yet, although Keith has been taking out CCP's on visits.

Carl advised there is a one year rehab assistant course - NVQ4, which may be relevant.

Beatrice/Neil/Mary meeting with Norma Georgeson to discuss sensory awareness training and will raise it with her.

Provision Solutions delivered a presentation on training. Carl to forward an email. It can be delivered at the workplace with enough people (5+). Could join with other LA's, LVSB, etc.

Low Vision Leaflets were discussed. Mary advised Sefton's is now ready, 5,000 have been printed for distribution.

Magnifiers, majority of LA's are assessing and giving out. An issue was raised re PAT testing following an incident.

Update from Cheshire, 6 RO's are becoming a virtual team with 1 being upgraded to ATM. Previously buying in supervision from GDA.

Issue of professional supervision fro RO's was raised.

Medical secretaries issue the CVI's. Hilary has provided Helen with a list of Sefton postcodes to be circulated to them, to aid recognition of Sefton cases and the correct area office to refer them to.

Agreed CV1's from St Paul's will go straight to the area office first for registration, not via Hilary, as they have already seen an ECLO.

26 Sefton residents were seen by Helen at St Paul's in 2006/07.

Helen is to monitor time between being seen in clinic and the CV1 being signed, as consultants do not sign in clinic and there can be a time delay.

Helen to check after 4 weeks and advise the service user to chase up with the consultant.

Helen to put the consultants name on all referrals, this will help to monitor the system.

Helen uses the generic referral form for referrals to Customer Access Team and this will continue, Beatrice to supply more forms (single sided).

Helen would like copies of the revised information pack with signature guides when available to give out in clinic.

Are we meeting the duty to see children within 48 hours?

All children should be recorded as critical priority.

Carl has identified 2 waiting more than 6 months, listed as

Role of the Children's Intake Team to ensure we meet the 48-hour duty. Then have 32 days for the assessment to take place, this is the timeframe we need to work to.

Hilary passes information to Lynn Errington at STEP's if she has cases.

All children are visited, RO's mainly advice and information given at the visit, as little else to be done.

Mary and Beatrice attending the consultation event tomorrow.

Beatrice and Neil to address along with the lengthy waiting list at Maghull.

Need some feedback for the VI forum.

Mary to look at the Parking Board issues and any progress.

Talking Books - Mary updated, the business case has been drafted and is with Derek Jones to take to SMT for approval.

Are we able to identify numbers of children using the service and approach Children's Services?

RNIB only provide information for those service users we fund, but we could ask for anonymised information - male or female and age. Mary to speak to RNIB.

Wednesday 11^th July, 2pm at Shakespeare Street.