New appointment to improve lives of those with sensory impairments in Scotland

The Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland in partnership with the Scottish Government has appointed Clare Henderson as Sensory Impairment Strategy Coordinator.

Clare has been the strategic lead for RNIB Scotland on joint sensory developments since 2012. This has involved liaising with the Scottish Government and other sensory loss organisations on the development and consultation of See Hear, mapping developments and progress across Scotland.  

She was involved in developing, implementing and monitoring the Scottish Vision Strategy since its inception in 2008 through cross-sector partnership within Scotland and the UK. This work also involves supporting the Chair of the Scottish Vision Strategy Advisory Group, providing secretariat support for this group and the annual conference.

ALLIANCE Chief Executive, Ian Welsh welcomed the initiative, saying: “The Scottish Government’s See Hear sensory impairment framework, published in 2013, signalled a step change in approach to care, awareness and services.  

“As Scotland’s population ages we will require new approaches and partnerships to ensure the growing number of people living with sensory impairments are supported to exercise their right to live well.  Our new Coordinator post will help make sure that the one million people who live with one or more sensory impairment in Scotland are engaged in decisions about the support which is vital to their lives.”

Maureen Bruce, Deputy Director Care, Support & Rights, Population Health Directorate, said: “Since the Scottish Government in partnership with local authorities, health boards and the third sector developed a Scottish Sensory Impairment Strategy in 2014, good progress has been made in implementing the strategy via local partnerships including health, social care and third sector partners.

“This partnership post creating a development, policy, practice and coordination resource within the ALLIANCE will, amongst other things, work closely with the Scottish Government policy team to ensure clear national direction and priority for the Sensory Impairment Delivery Support Programme.”