More than 100 people came together recently to back a new patient-centred approach to eyecare support.
Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) which has taken the lead on this work, hosted an event at Aston University in Birmingham on Wednesday 18 September to launch an Eye Care Support Pathway patient guide.
The pathway was codesigned with 23 of the leading eyecare organisations including the NHS, Royal College of Ophthalmology, College of Optometrists and endorsed by the Clinical Council for Eye Health Commissioning, with more than 400 patient experiences captured to identify obstacles they faced.
There are more than two million people in the UK living with sight loss, set to double by 2050 and for many, eye care pathways are confusing, hard to navigate and access to emotional and practical support is inconsistent. Delegates at the event heard how without timely access to the appropriate information, advice and support at critical stages on their eye care journey people feel overwhelmed and unsure where to turn.
Rob Cooper, RNIB’s Strategic Engagement Lead for NHS Services and Mari Jones, RNIB’s Chief Operating Officer stood in front of a display showing logos of the partners who have been involved in the development of the Eye Care Support Pathway.
The Eye Care Support Pathway will help people to better navigate their own eyecare journey, and access the appropriate support at key stages including post diagnosis support and independent living support. It will empower each person to self-advocate and confidently connect, collaborate and communicate throughout their sight loss or eyecare needs journey.
The Pathway sets out people’s needs at four key stages ensuring people are supported at every stage of their eyecare journey and are waiting well in between these stages:
- Having an initial appointment
- Having a diagnosis confirmed
- Support after a diagnosis
- Living well with a condition.
Completed in November 2023, the Pathway received an endorsement earlier this month from Louisa Wickham, the NHS’s National Clinical Director for Eyecare and Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at Moorfields Eye Hospital.
In an open letter to regional health leaders published on the NHS England website, she called on them to “support and, where possible, adopt this Pathway”, which she said could ensure patients received “not just medical treatment but also the support and guidance they need at every step.”
RNIB’s Chair Anna Tylor speaking at the event in Birmingham. She is stood at a podium wearing a navy blue top and a patterned blue scarf, behind her is a poster of someone using a mobile phone.
Speaking about the impact of the Eye Care Support Pathway, RNIB’s Chief Operating Officer, Mari Jones said: “Hearing you’re losing your sight can be a bolt from the blue or confirmation of something you have suspected but didn’t want to acknowledge. RNIB has developed the Eye Care Support Pathway in collaboration with the NHS and with partners across the eyecare sector to change people’s lives; making sure however they are feeling, they don’t feel alone. I urge eyecare professionals to adopt this framework and implement it across the board to ensure patients have access to the right support at the right time.”
The day-long event featured presentations from expert speakers and panel debates including hearing first-hand from those with sight loss about the challenges of navigating an often-fragmented system.
You can find out more about the Eye Care Support Pathway at www.rnib.org.uk
