Redbridge to offer support to visually impaired people with COVID-19 home testing kits

Redbridge Council has become one of the first councils in London to support visually impaired people and those with sensory disabilities with COVID-19 home testing kits.

The Redbridge Sensory Services Centre provides specialist services to adults residing in Redbridge with sight impairment, hearing impairment, dual sensory loss, deafblind and deaf. 

The current system for requesting a home testing kit through NHS 119 presents a considerable barrier to visually impaired people, especially those who don't have a support network. People who fall under this category can now contact Redbridge Sensory Services, who will be aware of their circumstances.

The support service is available if a visually or sensory impaired person wishes to receive a home testing kit but doesn't have an email address, mobile phone, or support network, including family or friends.

Under the current process, people call 119 and select the appropriate home testing kit option. NHS 119 will then request a mobile phone number and email address, without which they will not send a home test kit. 

Under normal circumstances, the person will then undergo the test, read the barcode, package up the test and then disclose personal information, including an email address and mobile phone number.

Suppose that person is visually impaired or has another sensory disability and doesn't have any support at home or access to email or a mobile phone. In that case, Redbridge Sensory Services will request a home testing kit to be delivered. They will also log their details to receive the results on behalf of the individual.

The door-to-door testing programme commissioned by the Redbridge Public Health team will deliver the kit to the individual and either wait while they take the test or return later to collect it. If a resident needs assistance in carrying out the test, Redbridge Sensory Services will provide telephone support.

Olav Ernstzen, Chair, Redbridge Low Vision Group, commented: "This is an excellent initiative by Redbridge, bringing together the services and skills of the Wellbeing and Sensory Services Teams to support visually impaired people or those with sensory disabilities with COVID-19 home testing kits. This is the type of pioneering work that we and other local authorities are doing to benefit our communities. Redbridge is undoubtedly leading the way."

Cllr Mark Santos, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, said: "We need to get as many people tested and vaccinated as possible to try and finally get to grips with this awful pandemic, once and for all.

"At the same time, we need to ensure that we're making it as easy and accessible for people as possible to get tested. The current home testing system isn't conducive for visually impaired people who don't have a strong, reliable support network. Many of these people also don't have access to email or a mobile phone.

"It somewhat concerns me that little progress is being made on this, despite the government being strongly lobbied on this issue. That's why we've seized this initiative and worked with our partners at Redbridge Sensory Services and the Royal National Institute of Blind People to implement a support system that is sensitive to their needs and provides them with the support they so desperately need at this difficult time."