We are delighted to announce that our Eye Clinic Liaison Officer, Kate, is now in post at the Eye Clinic in the Royal Hallamshire Hospital. Kate joined us as Eye Clinic Liaison Officer at the beginning of 2017. This is an exciting new role, based at the Eye Clinic in the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield, helping to make a difference to the lives of blind or partially sighted people in Sheffield City Region. There was a need for a point of contact at the hospital to provide information and advice to blind and partially sighted people, family members and carers at the time they are given a diagnosis about their sight loss.

The ECLO provides emotional support and raises awareness of the services available to empower visually impaired people to make informed choices to maintain and develop their independence. This is a role that exists in numerous other hospitals across the country, but was not in place in Sheffield. Without this person being in place, patients and their families could be left reeling from a diagnosis they have been given and unsure where to turn, many people likening this diagnosis to bereavement. At this point, they can feel overwhelmed and potentially miss information that is critical for their future wellbeing. This link ensures that people are directed to our charity (SRSB) and supported through a difficult time as well as referrals to other relevant agencies.

We knew there was a need for this project because we held focus groups with our existing clients who had gone through this experience themselves. The resulting report identified how strongly clients felt that they would have benefitted from this service.