The experiences of adults with visual impairment and sight loss of NHS Outpatient Eye Care Services with in Shropshire

Shropshire Rural Community Council (RCC) was funded by a Healthwatch Shropshire Research Grant to explore patient experiences of NHS hospital eye care services in Shropshire. Shropshire RCC provides information and support for adults with sight loss in Shropshire, and through this work has gathered anecdotal evidence of difficulties for patients of NHS outpatient eye care services in Shropshire. 12 people took part in interviews and focus groups.

The research found that there were issues around the timing of hospital appointments, the physical environment and communication highlighted the way people struggled. Consultants were generally held in high esteem. There was an additional theme around support and the various sources of support, such as official, unofficial and family. It was found that there were two areas where people felt disadvantaged – communication and the environment. Whilst the environment theme concentrated on particular situations that were problematic, communication was a wider theme, encompassing appointment letters, access to information about certification and registration, links between the NHS and support groups.

There were four recommendations to improve accessibility at local hospitals.