West of England SLC Delivers Change with Sirona Care & Social
West of England Sight Loss Council (SLC) has been leading change in accessible healthcare by delivering vision impairment (VI) awareness sessions to healthcare professionals and administrative staff across Sirona Care & Health
With several sessions completed and hundreds of staff trained, the response has been overwhelmingly positive, resulting in fundamental and long-lasting changes in how Sirona supports blind and partially sighted (BPS) patients.
What was the focus of the VI awareness sessions?
The sessions focussed on breaking down barriers, challenging misconceptions about sight loss and equipping professionals with the confidence to provide accessible, person-centred care.
Members provided practical guidance, including sighted guiding techniques and effective communication strategies. They also deepened staff’s understanding of accessibility challenges, transforming their approach to determining the needs of BPS patients.
One Sirona staff member shared:
“This training has completely changed my perspective. I now understand how small adjustments, like not assuming and always asking and being clear, can make a huge difference.”
What steps has Sirona taken to deliver change?
We know that awareness alone isn’t enough. This is why members are especially pleased that Sirona Care & Health has taken real action as a direct result of the vision awareness sessions. They have already redesigned their leaflets and posters, ensuring they are available in larger print with improved contrast for better readability. Additionally, alternative formats (including accessible digital PDFs) are now available so that visually impaired patients can access information in a way that suits their needs.
Sirona has also made meaningful changes to how they contact patients. Staff have been trained to ask service users about their preferred method of communication, whether that be phone calls, text messages, or emails that are compatible with screen readers. These adjustments, though simple, are already having an impact on the accessibility of healthcare services for blind and partially sighted people.
The importance of leading change in accessible healthcare
With more than 2 million people in the UK living with sight loss according to the RNIB, including thousands in Bristol, this initiative marks a crucial step toward making healthcare truly accessible.
Given the success of these sessions and the enthusiastic response from staff, West of England Sight Loss Council is excited to continue working with Sirona to deliver ongoing sessions and embed accessibility into everyday healthcare practice.
Yahya Pandor, Engagement Manager for the South-West, finalised by saying:
“At West of England SLC, we know that change happens when people listen, learn, and take action.
“Sirona’s commitment to improving accessibility is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when healthcare providers work alongside those with lived experience of sight loss. Together, we’re making healthcare more accessible for all.”
Join us
Passionate about making a difference? Want to influence positive change? Our Sight Loss Councils, led by blind and partially sighted volunteers, are recruiting new members. Join us today!
We use our lived experience to create positive change for others. Together, we tackle local issues and work with businesses and service providers to improve the accessibility of their services.
Join us to help ensure visually impaired people in your area can live the lives they want to lead.
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Publication date: 12 March 2025