Additional help available at North Mid for people with sight loss

A Specialist Eye Clinic Liaison Officer role is hosted by Edmonton Hospital in collaboration with the Royal National Institute for the Blind

A new service from North Mid is helping patients with low vision and other eye conditions by providing ‘personalised navigation’ through the complexities of sight loss.

The Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO) role, which is run in partnership between NHS trusts and the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB), was launched at North Middlesex University Hospital in Edmonton in March and is one of the latest postings of this kind. established by the RNIB, which has been running the scheme in other hospitals for 30 years.

In his first 100 days working at North Mid, eye clinic liaison officer James Treadwell helped 135 patients who were referred to the trust’s eye clinic for treatment related to low vision, severe vision impairment and other vision conditions.

His one-on-one support has helped patients get personalized advice that will allow them to claim hundreds of tax deductions they’re eligible for, as well as access technology that will read their letters and documents. Patients are referred to local groups that provide peer support to manage the emotional challenges of sight loss.

Nabil Uddin, Head of Orthotics and Optometry at North Mid, said: “James has been a hugely valuable addition to the team at North Mid working with patients affected by vision loss and other eye conditions. ECLO helps patients and their families and carers manage the impact of their eye conditions by ensuring they understand the range of schemes and benefits they have access to that can mitigate the effect of their health problems.

“The North Mid clinical team are experts in clinical care, but ECLO really adds value for patients by bringing into their care experience expertise around financial benefits, services available from other agencies such as social care and carer support and the connections with
people who have experienced what they are going through and who can empathize and help them navigate the huge impact their condition can have on their lives and well-being.”

Speaking about how his role at North Mid helps patients, James said: “A patient was registered with severe visual impairment almost two years ago but was unaware of the range of benefits, concessions and services available to him. is offered due to its certification. I was able to refer her to a team of specialists who are going to carry out a full benefit check to ensure she is claiming everything she is entitled to due to her condition.

“She also paid far more tax than she should on her pension, so an RNIB income tax expert will help her claim Blind Tax Allowance, which will save her hundreds of pounds a year. This additional income will help greatly as her care needs increase.

“The patient also mentioned the emotional challenges that vision loss brings, so we put her in touch with local peer support groups to help manage this. In addition, her husband is her main carer and has his own health issues, so I gave her information about Carers UK and how they can help from that perspective.

“She will also receive support in terms of technology that can help read documents and letters to her and the RNIB technology team will guide her step-by-step with this. As a couple, they were very appreciative of all the assistance and information we provided
them and it’s so satisfying to know that you’ve practically helped and improved someone’s everyday life.”

For more information contact James Treadwell:
E-mail (email protected)

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