Minutes – Northern Rehab Forum (NRF) Meeting held on Monday 20/02/2017 Attendees: Martin Kearney (MK) – Newcastle City Council Vikki Harris-Merrick (VH) – Newcastle City Council Philip Simpson (PS) – Cheshire East Council Daniella McCluskey (DM) – Durham County Council Cara Turnbull (CT) – Durham County Council David Johnston (DJ) – Durham County Council Michael Sutton (MS) – Sight Services Avril Elder (AE) – Guide Dogs Jim Halsall (JH) – Durham County Council Paul Wilds (PW) – BID Northumberland Rebecca Jessop (RJ) – Student BID Northumberland Dawn Ferguson (DF) – Sight Services Apologies: David Waterfall-Brown – Guide Dogs Fewtrell – Guide Dogs Richard Richardson – Durham County Council Michael Shaw – Sight Services Jane Connor – Cumbria Jill James – Blind Veterans UK Agenda Items Matters arising from minutes of previous meeting The minutes from the last meeting on 20/01/2016 were agreed as a true account. Psychological and Emotional impact of sight loss – Philip Simpson Philip Simpson facilitated a group discussion around the psychological and emotional impact of sight loss. This kind of loss has been likened to the grieving process, the group discussed how we relate this to our everyday involvement with our service users. Philip touched upon a number of models, such as: Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Five stages of grief (see link below) Denial Anger Bargaining Depression Acceptance
Wordens Four tasks or mourning (see link below) Accept the reality of the loss To work through the pain of grief To adjust to an environment in which the deceased is missing To find an enduring connection with the deceased while embarking on a new life The book ‘Living with Complicated Grief’ by Prof. Craig A. White is available to purchase on Amazon: Group discussed lack of services to refer people with sight loss onto, and the importance of specialist counselling. Durham felt they had a good service that operates within the local Blind Society, Newcastle are currently without specialist counselling services as this was provided from within Newcastle Blind Society however Disability North take referrals for disability related counselling. Language and terminology used by Ophthalmology was generally deemed as unhelpful and demotivating and at times inhibited the role of the Rehabilitation worker. The group agreed more provision is needed to assist the Rehabilitation role. Possible communication needed with Head of Ophthalmology. We thank Philip for his valuable contribution and hope this encourages others to take part in peer participation. Future peer participation Joshua Feehan (RNIB) is happy to attend a future NRF meeting to discuss peer participation. Simon Labbett (RWPN) and Joshua are attending the Sight Service Rehab Seminar on 23rd March. Vikki Harris-Merrick to facilitate group wheelchair practical and discussion on 22nd May in Durham. Hopefully will be attendance in May from Blind Veterans UK to update us on their restructure and services they are offering. Related information is that Jill James is moving to North Yorkshire, Congratulations to her on her new role with Blind Veterans UK. Continuous Professional Development Training opportunities in the North East of England The group felt there is not enough training being delivered in the North East and so the group would like to put this forward to RWPN. David suggested that if we desire we could pool resources together and requisition our own local training hosted by any member. ACTION: V H-M to contact Andy Fisher about possible low vision and advanced mobility training