What is an ECLO?
ECLOs (Eye Clinic Liaison Officers) offer information, practical advice and emotional support to all eye clinic patients, their families and carers. They offer a drop-in, on-the-day service; no appointment is needed. For patients who prefer to speak on the telephone, they can also provide remote support.
Being diagnosed with an eye condition can be incredibly distressing and have wide ranging effects on daily life. ECLOs are often the first point of referral for people living with sight loss, and we support patients dealing with the changes that sight loss has on their lives, whether they are newly diagnosed or are having ongoing treatment and monitoring. We aim to bridge the gap between the medical side of a patient’s care with life outside the eye clinic, managing and navigating life in the community, at home, in school or in work.
Who are the ECLOs for County Durham and Darlington?
Mike Ferguson and locum Kate Jakubovics provide the RNIB Eye Clinic Liaison Service for County Durham and Darlington.
How can they help you?
They provide a patient-led, informal service, focusing on the issues and challenges that matter to your patients, so they can make informed choices about their life and the way forward.
Frequent areas of concern for patients seen by the ECLOs include:
Understanding their eye condition
Assisting with the processes of certification and registration
Access to local support groups or recreational activities
Developing or maintaining independence
Aids and technology to make life easier
Employment advice
Advice and support for carers
Benefits and concessions
Education Advice and support for children/young people and parents
If they cannot help the patient directly, they are able to refer them on to the right agencies to support them further. They are an entry point to a wide range of services offered by RNIB but also work closely with colleagues from across statutory, voluntary, charitable and education sectors, offering a range of sensory and non-sensory services.
How can patients be referred to the ECLO service?
You can refer to the ECLO service via email or telephone:
Email: cddft.eclo@nhs.net
Telephone: Mike Ferguson 07740501158 or Kate Jakubovics 07849 701147 (Locum)
Hours of service: 0830-1630, Monday to Friday