Eye Care Liaison Officers (ECLOs) are specially trained professionals who provide practical and emotional support to people diagnosed with sight loss. ECLOs work in hospital eye clinics and are there to help you understand your diagnosis, guide you through the next steps, and connect you with further support and services.
What ECLOs offer:
- Clear explanations about your eye condition and what it means for you.
- Support with coming to terms with sight loss and advice on living well.
- Help with registration as sight impaired and understanding the process.
- Information about benefits, concessions, and grants you may be eligible for.
- Guidance on assistive aids, technology, and adaptations for daily living.
- Signposting to local and national support services, including RNIB resources.
- Emotional support for you and your family, helping you adjust and plan for the future.
ECLOs are a vital link between medical staff and community support, ensuring you don't feel alone after your diagnosis. They can answer your questions, help you access practical help, and make sure you get the most from your appointments and treatments.
To find your local ECLO or learn more, visit the RNIB website or ask your hospital eye clinic for details.
We have two ECLO's in Buckinghamshire -
Amersham & Wycombe Hospital - Julie Dennis
Stoke Mandeville Hospital - Laura Finnis
Your ECLO would welcome referrals for anyone who:
• Has any degree of sight loss, or is affected by sight loss. They may have a new diagnosis of a sight threatening condition, or had sight loss for a while. This includes family members, carers and friends.
• Has been offered or considered for certification as sight impaired (SI) or severely sight impaired (SSI), or who meets the eligibility guidelines. This includes those who are newly certified, those who are unsure, and those whose certification status has changed (i.e. from SI to SSI).
• Might benefit from emotional support. For example, anyone who appears to be upset or distressed, has not understood or taken in what you have said, or is expressing concerns about their future.
• Might benefit from information about eye conditions.
• Might need information about other support available, i.e. Sensory Teams, Vision Rehabilitation, and Services for Children with Vision Impairment (VI).
• Needs general support and advice about aids or adaptations, mentions practical difficulties when at work or at home, or who has been referred to the Low Vision service.
• Has sight loss and is at risk of becoming isolated (perhaps they have no support or family locally), are at risk of falling, or who appear to be frail.
• Has sight loss and is of working age, whether they are in employment or not.
• Would benefit from further information or support around treatment compliance, i.e. drops for glaucoma.
• Has had a stroke or brain injury and has visual difficulties as a result.
• Has been told that their sight has fallen below the level needed for driving.
• Attends the eye department with sudden sight loss.
• Is a child or young person with VI, and their families, who might benefit from a referral to VI Education Services or to a Qualified Teacher of Vision Impairment (QTVI).
• Has sight loss and whose circumstances have recently changed (for example, their spouse has passed away).
Please also consider any inpatients or those who have sight loss attending other wards or departments.
01296 838390 or email
bht.eclo@nhs.net
If the patient is not self-referring, please ensure you have the patients consent.