More Support Locally for the Blind and Partially Sighted
Eye Care Liaison Officer appointed at Central Middlesex Hospital
Russell Gwebu knows first-hand the challenges his patients are facing
March 9, 2023
Patients in the borough of Ealing who are blind or partially sighted will now get support as soon as they’ve been diagnosed, from a new Eye Care Liaison Officer (ECLO) based at Central Middlesex Hospital.
Vital ECLOs are recruited in a partnership between the Royal National Institute of Blind People RNIB and local NHS trusts, as it is recognised that NHS clinicians often have appointments of just a matter of minutes with patients even if they have to tell them the news that they are now blind or have lost much of their site.
The ECLO at Central Mids will therefore be providing vital emotional and practical support and will guide patients to things like counselling services, help with travel, use of technology, filling in vital benefits forms and basically living with sight loss.
Russell Gwebu has taken up the post at the hospital in Park Royal and will be on hand five days a week to help.
Having lost much of his sight after a car accident when he was 21 years old, Russell knows first-hand the challenges his patients are facing.
He said, “After the car accident I couldn’t see anything at all for two to three weeks. My world just stopped, but I soon found out that everyone else’s carried on.
“When I first heard about the ECLO role, I just thought it was a great idea. Consultation times in eye clinics are limited so having an ECLO at hand to offer practical and emotional support to patients is fantastic.
“I saw a patient the other day who was certified with sight loss a year or two ago. He was in his 40s and seemed very confused with everything. But we helped him get a copy of his Certificate of Vision Impairment and put him in touch with an organisation that can help him fill in the DWP forms, so he can begin to get the support he needs.”
Sharita Jhummun, Clinical Lead for Optometry and Orthoptic Services at Central Middlesex Hospital, said, “The hospital is very happy to welcome Russell. The new ECLO service will help to support the well-being of our new and follow-up patients. The new service is vital to treating patients holistically and is very much needed. Patients have welcomed the bridge between health and social services.”
Karen James, ECLO Service Manager at RNIB, said, “We are so pleased to have the new ECLO service at Central Middlesex. Russell has already started to talk to patients to give them advice on how to lessen the impact that their eye condition may have on their life.
“The ECLOs support patients who are often struggling to find their way through a sometimes frightening and often unpredictable and complex sight loss journey. The ECLO has up to date knowledge of local and national service provision and the time to connect with patients to understand and access support to meet their needs.
“They also help prevent avoidable sight loss, by talking through treatment and helping people to understand their medication if necessary.”
To find out more about ECLOs and how to meet with one, RNIB’s Helpline on 0303 123 9999 (8am-8pm weekdays and 9am-1pm Saturdays).
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