RNIB launches new support pathway for people living with sight loss

A new Eye Care Support Pathway has been launched to support the transformation of eye care and eye services.

The Pathway will help ensure people are supported at every stage of their eye care journey and can access appropriate information, including energy advice, when they need it.

The ambition is that from the moment someone realises something ‘isn’t quite right’ with their sight, through to diagnosis and being able to live confidently – and independently – with their condition, people have access to the information, advice and support they need.

The Pathway has been launched by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB). RNIB is part funded by the British Gas Energy Trust to provide energy advice and income maximisation to those living with sight loss.

Co-designed with 23 different eye care organisations, the pathway sets out patients’ needs during initial appointments and after diagnosis, with the aim of living well with their condition.

There are currently two million people in the UK living with sight loss – with that figure due to double by 2050.

Vicky Frith, Senior Corporate Partnerships Manager, said the Pathway had been built on solid research across the country.

She said: “We undertook a wide piece of research to identify the pain points people were going through in their sight loss journey. We found the Pathway was complex and difficult to navigate and there was a huge gap in the terms of support available. Too often, patients were ‘hoping’ to get information rather than definitely receiving the information they needed.

“A sight loss diagnosis can be incredibly traumatic. It can come as a huge shock. We want people to have access to the right information at the right time – not just left in limbo.

“We found that there were over a hundred different pain points on a patient’s journey with sight loss, so we needed to make the process far easier for patients.”

There are four stages to the eye care support pathway – appointment, diagnosis, support and living well.

RNIB sees the Pathway as being embedded in the medical profession, so clinicians are able to signpost people to relevant services in the community.

RNIB’s support services include their well-established Eye Care Liaison Officers, who can signpost people to the right emotional and practical support, including income maximisation and energy advice wherever necessary.

The pathway has received the backing of NHS England’s National Clinical Director of Eye Care, Louisa Wickham, who said the Pathway ‘represents a significant advancement in our ongoing efforts to enhance eye care services across England’.

Vicky added: “Patients need to be ‘waiting well’ at each stage of the process – effectively, understanding their diagnosis properly and the journey that they are on. It’s all about getting people from the clinical setting and into the wider support system.

“We need to remove the confusion, make sure people know what to expect – and to expect more. We’re arming people with confidence and the right questions to ask. We’ve had a very positive response so far.”

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If you are struggling with your heating bills, the Trusts energy debt support funds may be able to help. Please check your eligibility and apply here.