If you have a sight or hearing impairment, we can help. We’ve partnered with Millbrook Healthcare to provide specialised support and rehabilitation services, tailored to help you maintain independence at home and in the community.
How Millbrook Healthcare can help
Millbrook Healthcare offers personalised assessments and services that include:
- specialist assessments: via phone, video (including British Sign Language), or face-to-face
- rehabilitation plans: customised to your needs, including new skills, techniques, and equipment to support daily routines and home adjustments
- community and peer support: assistance in connecting with community activities, peer groups, and services
- access to opportunities: support in finding leisure, training, education, volunteering, employment, and welfare resources
Contacting Millbrook Healthcare
You, a family member, or a carer can refer directly to Millbrook Healthcare
Visual impairment services
For individuals with visual impairments, Millbrook Healthcare offers:
- registration for sight loss: assessment following a hospital referral from an ophthalmologist
- outdoor mobility training: up to 8 weeks of mobility support with long canes or other aids
- daily living support: tips for safe meal prep (e.g., fluid level indicators), device settings (using tactile markers), and accessible phones or smart apps
assistive equipment examples:
- bump-ons: tactile markers for appliance settings
- liquid level Indicators: ensuring safe pouring for hot drinks
- white canes: outdoor navigation support
Resources for further support
- Guide Dogs for the Blind: www.guidedogs.org.uk, 0800 781 1444
- Blind Veterans UK: www.blindveterans.org.uk, 0300 111 22 33
- Macular Society: www.macularsociety.org, 01264 560 259
- Dorset Blind Association: www.dorsetblind.org.uk, 01202 712865
- RNIB: www.rnib.org.uk, 0303 123 9999
- Ability Net: www.abilitynet.org.uk, 0800 048 7642
- Low Vision Clinics: Contact us for locations of NHS Dorset clinics
Support for hearing loss and profound deafness
Millbrook Healthcare has two dedicated Rehabilitation Officers who are trained in British Sign Language and specialise in:
- home-based support: for people with hearing impairments, including advice on assistive equipment
specialised equipment:
- alert systems: for doorbells, phones, and smoke detectors linked to vibrating alarms
- amplified phones and personal amplifiers: to improve sound clarity
- TV listening devices: enhancing the television audio experience
Further hearing support resources:
- Royal National Institute for the Deaf: rnid.org.uk
- British Sign Language Resources: british-sign.co.uk
- British Deaf Association: bda.org.uk
- Wiltshire and Dorset Deaf Association: wdda.co.uk
For people with dual sensory loss
Our sight and hearing rehabilitation officers work together for those with both sight and hearing impairments, offering:
- joint assessments: A coordinated approach to assist both individuals and their support networks
- specialised support for deaf-blind individuals: Tailored resources and services in collaboration with specialist organisations