Rugby MP Mark Pawsey has joined the Royal National Institute of Blind People’s (RNIB) "Spot the Signs" campaign to fight against avoidable sight loss here in Rugby.
Mark has joined the RNIB to urge constituents in Rugby to learn how to spot the signs of wet AMD, the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK, so they can act quickly.
Mark said:
“Lack of awareness of the symptoms of Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is risking thousands of people's sight each year across the country.
Mark continued:
“I am supporting the 'Spot the signs' campaign as I want to encourage people over the age of 50 in Rugby to recognise the early signs of AMD and to seek immediate medical attention if they believe they are exhibiting the symptoms of AMD.”
Mark concluded:
“Here in Rugby at the Hospital of St Cross we have an excellent AMD Unit. Over the recent years I have been fighting for better access to the unit for Rugby residents as due to contractual obligations we had the absurd situation where my constituents were sent out of Rugby for their treatment whilst people from other areas are sent to Rugby for treatment. I have continued to press for a change in this situation and I am delighted that the new Coventry and Rugby Clinical Commission Group are now working with this objective in mind with a view to a new policy being in place allowing Rugby residents to attend the AMD Unit in St Cross in the coming months.”