‘The reason I would like to get registered is because I would like a parking pass for disabled people’
‘Certification gives me contact with various things’
‘I got a phone call from the Patient Support Service after I registered and this set everything in motion’
Benefits for the patient
There are some immediate personal advantages after registration. For example, patients can claim a range of concessions. It can be difficult for a patient with sight loss to understand what they are entitled to as it depends on the level of registration (sight impaired or severely sight impaired), and on personal circumstances. Concessions include travel concessions, TV licence, tax allowances, leisure discounts, and in case of severe sight impairment, eligibility for a disabled person’s parking pass. The purpose of the concessions and discounts is to provide resources for the person to stay independent.
Benefits for the local area
In areas with a significant number of people with sight impairment, public places are made more accessible for this group of patients. For example, safe road crossings and tactile pavement.
Benefits on a national level
Whilst certification and registration is primarily aimed at supporting the individual in their local area, it also provides epidemiological data about sight loss causes and incidence in the UK.
The patient’s perspective
The Optician Magazine published a CPD article about certification and registration from a patient’s perspective. An audio version of the article is available in my Publications section, under ‘CPD Articles. A future blog will cover this topic as well.
