Our Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO) at St Ann's Hospital is here to support people who are living with sight loss or eye conditions. The ECLO works alongside doctors, nurses and optometrists, but their role is focused on supporting you and your family with the practical and emotional side of eye conditions.
The ECLO can give you clear, easy-to-understand information about your eye condition and what it might mean for your daily life. They can support you whether you're waiting for a diagnosis, have just been diagnosed, or have been living with sight loss for some time. Their role is to help you understand what is happening and to help you find support that can make everyday life easier and help you stay independent.
You can talk to the St Ann's ECLO in a safe and private space about any worries or concerns you may have. Many people feel overwhelmed, upset or unsure about the future when their vision changes, and the ECLO is there to listen and help you work through this at your own pace. They can also help you understand information from clinic appointments, support you in the process of registering with your local council and getting a certificate of vision impairment (CVI), and help you think about next steps.
The ECLO can also refer and signpost you to other services outside of hospital, including social services, local support groups and national organisations for people with sight loss, so you can access the right help at the right time.
Our ECLO also understands that sight loss can affect the whole family. They can offer advice, information and reassurance to partners, family members, friends and carers so they feel more confident supporting you.
The service is available for adults and children, for people who have recently been told they have an eye condition, for people living with long-term sight loss, and for the people who support them.