A LEADING Hampshire Liberal Democrat is urging his county council colleagues to adopt government guidance for people who are both deaf and blind.

Baddesley division member Alan Dowden, right, who is the Lib Dems county spokesman for adult social care, says it is in the interest of the welfare of deaf-blind people across Hampshire and elsewhere in the country.

“The implementation of this guidance will have a positive impact upon the support that deaf blind people receive,” said Councillor Dowden, stressing that he wanted Hampshire County Council to work within the Government’s guidelines immediately.

He will now be putting a motion before the county’s full council on Thursday.

“The Department of Health’s Social Care expects authorities to identify, make contact and keep a record of deaf blind people in their area including those who have multiple disabilities such as dual sensory impairment,” said Cllr Dowden.

The politician explained the council needed to ensure that when assessments of deaf blind people are required or requested, they are carried out by a specially-trained person or a team, equipped to assess their needs.

Cllr Dowden said there are about 500 in Hampshire.