Evaluation of Eye Clinic Liaison Officer Service, Middlesborough

It was identified that the Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO) Service at James Cook University Hospital (JCUH) in Middlesbrough is an integral support for those with a diagnosis of sight loss, although there were gaps in the service for individuals with sight loss. The service is currently under threat due to a lack of funding and at a possible risk of being reduced from its current four day a week provision. The aim of this work was to gather the views of service users and stakeholders to evaluate the benefits and the impact of the ECLO service.

Telephone consultations were carried out with 30 patients.

The findings of the report highlighted the benefits an Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO) service provides to patients with a sight loss diagnosis.

Also 100% of eye clinic department staff stated that they ‘strongly agree’ or ‘agree’ when asked if they felt the ECLO service significantly improves the CVI (Certificate of Vision Impairment) process. In addition to this, as previously stated, support from an ECLO can deliver a financial return of £10.35 for every pound invested, highlighting the benefit of this service, not only to patients but to health and social care resources. Results showed that 82% of people surveyed felt they had been given all or most of the emotional support they needed from the ECLO service.

Recommendations; that a recognised pathway be implemented so that all patients with a sight loss diagnosis are referred to an ECLO, that funding for the ECLO service at JCUH is continued in the long-term for the benefit of patients and in terms of patient experience, dedicated space for the delivery of the ECLO service should be identified.