64 UPDATE
Hospital-based service offers timely support to patients with sight loss
Earlier this year, the National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI) began its Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO) service aimed at providing support to patients at the point of diagnosis. The service was rolled out at the Mater University Hospital, Children’s Health Ire- land (CHI) at Temple Street, St Vincent’s University Hospital and the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital. The service receives referrals from hos- pital outpatient clinics, inpatients and day surgery patients. ECLOs represent all VISPA partners – NCBI, ChildVision, Irish Guide Dogs and Fighting Blindness. Each organi- sation has its own unique service offering that the ECLO can highlight, matching the needs of each patient. The purpose of the ECLO role is to listen and signpost patients to appropriate services. Patients have often not had the opportunity to speak with someone in the clinic about their diagnosis and prognosis, and they may not have enough information about their eye con- dition or treatment. The patient may have experienced sudden traumatic sight loss or a slow gradual loss of sight. The ECLO also has a key role in advocating on behalf of the patient and provides information and training to hos- pital staff, eg. sighted-guide training. To date, the ECLO service has received 310 patient referrals, with over 140 onward referrals being made to commu- nity-based service providers including NCBI’s lifecycle teams. In addition, 56 staff training sessions have been provided across the three hospital locations. Feedback on the impact of the ECLO
Pictured are members of the CHI at Temple Street ophthalmic department (l-r): Claire McAntee; Aidan Quinn; Stephen Farrell; Hilary Devlin, NCBI; Tara Rose Devine; Sabrina Shanahan; Elaine Fitzgerald; Nora Mohd; Noree Jordan; and Paddy Murtagh
Pictured are staff from the outpatient department at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital (l-r): Bríd O’ Sullivan, Raluca Anghel, Monica Angues, Rhona Gallagher, Elaine Crossan (NCBI), Ann Lehane, MichelleWalsh, Jean Reeves, Niamh Ní Cheallaigh
To celebrate the 100th referral from the ECLO service to NCBI on July 29, 2019, presentations were made at both CHI at Temple Street and the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital. The presentations highlighted the success of the role and recognised two ‘champions’ in both hospi- tals who have been particularly proactive in referring and advocating on behalf of the service. For further information about the service visit www.ncbi.ie
service has been positive. In total, 84% of surveyed patients felt their emotional wellbeing has increased having had con- tact with the ECLO. One patient described the fear she used to feel: “I used to be afraid to sleep in case I woke up totally blind. Now I feel more reassured.” Another wrote about the impact the ECLO has had on his career prospects: “The ECLO encouraged me to go back to work. I didn’t think I could do it.”
Cornmarket continues support of INMO Professional
Cornmarket Group Financial Services Ltd presented a cheque for € 20,000 to INMO Professional last month in the Richmond Education and Event Centre.The INMO has a longstanding relationship with Cornmarket and appreciates its ongoing support. INMO Professional is committed to supporting the continuing education of nurses and midwives and delivers high quality, relevant and up-to-date programmes and courses. For further information visit: www.inmoprofessional.ie Pictured at the presentation were (front, l-r): Martina Harkin-Kelly, INMO president; Derek Delany, market manager, Cornmarket;
(middle, l-r) Steve Pitman, INMO head of education and professional development; Edward Mathews, director of
professional and regulatory services; back (l-r): Ivan Ahern, director at Cornmarket; and Phil Ní Sheaghdha, INMO general secretary
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