Sensory services contract

Date Added - 25/05/09

Moray Council has awarded the Grampian Society for the Blind a contract to provide an integrated sensory service for people with visual or hearing impairment.

It follows an 18-month review of the provision of sensory services to people living in Moray.

Since the council was established in 1996 the Grampian Society for the Blind has provided a service to the blind and partially sighted in Moray, while the Aberdeen and North-East Deaf Society has provided similar support services to the deaf and those with a hearing impairment.

From July, the Grampian Society for the Blind will take on responsibility for both in a new integrated approach to service provision.

The detailed review considered a number of options for providing a service to the blind and deaf and a full impact assessment was carried out on each.

Three bidders submitted tenders for the integrated service and the Grampian Society for the Blind was awarded the contract following a rigorous selection process.

Moray Council’s director of community services, Sandy Riddell, said: “This is extremely good news for the people of Moray who either suffer from problems with their hearing or sight or care for people with those problems.

“Moray is one of just a few areas in Scotland to develop this form of integrated approach.

“I am confident that this will not only lead to an enhanced and much more joined-up service for the public, but will ensure that scarce resources are targeted in the most effective way.”