BHRCCG’s are pleased to announce that funding for the Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO) business case has been approved. Recruitment has been successful and following training and developing referrals, the ECLO will start seeing patients towards the end of March 2020.
BHRCCG have worked in partnership with BHRUT and the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to agree a recognised pathway be implemented so that all patients with a sight loss diagnosis are referred to an ECLO.
What is an ECLO?
An ECLO is key in helping patients understand the impact of their diagnosis and providing them with emotional and practical support for their next steps. ECLOs work closely with medical and nursing staff in the eye clinic, and the sensory team in social services. They provide those recently diagnosed with an eye condition with the practical and emotional support which they need to understand their diagnosis, deal with their sight loss and maintain their independence.
Karen Looker, RNIB’s Service Manager for ECLOs in London and the South East said: “It can be an overwhelming experience being told you are going to lose your sight. That feeling is compounded if people have to deal with it alone. ECLOs are key in helping patients understand the impact of their diagnosis and providing them with emotional and practical support for their next steps. We are extremely pleased to be working with our partners to bring this support and advice to patients attending BHRUT.”
The ECLO will be based at Queens Hospital, a POD will be located in the atrium not far from the information desk.
Best practice indicates that all patients who receive a diagnosis of sight loss should be offered support to ensure early referral to services and emotional support. Having an Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO) is one of the most effective ways of supporting patients in the eye clinic. Most importantly, ECLOs have the time to dedicate to patients following consultation, so that they can discuss the impact the condition may have on their life.
The CCG will be working with RNIB and BHRUT to ensure that family members and carers are also made aware of this service as they may also require support.
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