Low Vision, Service Lead Vacancies , HVCCG And FODO News

11 October 2021

We have 4 items for you today:

1. Low Vision Support for Patients
   Herts Vision Loss (HVL) have released their latest newsletter, HERE. 
   As well as HVL’s website, HERE, further help and information for low vision patients is available from the Hertfordshire County Council Visual Impairment Scheme HERE and at the RNIB’s site HERE.

   All practice staff, including DOs, Dispensers, Optical Assistants and Receptionists, can give great support to patients that are dealing with vision loss, especially if they are newly diagnosed, so please share this information and links with your teams.

   There are also Eye Clinic Liaison Officers (ECLOs) in some areas of the country who undertake RNIB’s Eye Clinic Studies Course affiliated to City University London, and are trained to a very high standard. Unfortunately, we do not have an ECLO in Hertfordshire at present but this is being discussed locally.

   Lister Hospital have two optometry led LVA clinics per week and these are face to face assessments for new patients. They are carrying out follow-up assessments generally as a telephone appointment – this has enabled them to increase the capacity of the clinic and therefore reduce the wait a bit. However, given the delays due to COVID, these calls are triaged so patients with a more urgent need will be prioritised.

   Lister does not have an ECLO, either. However, Herts Vision Loss provide adviser(s) who attend these clinics and act in that role, which can tie in with the services that HVL can provide.
    
   West Herts Hospital Trust has a LVA clinic at St. Albans City Hospital (SACH) but no ECLO either. For referrals in Herts Valleys, please try to ensure that your referral clearly states ‘For Low Vision Clinic at SACH only’ as CHEC do not have an LVA service.
    
   When a low vision patient is seen in either hospital, the Consultant can then certify them as visually impaired using The Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI) form. There are two levels of Visual Impairment on this form:

   • This person is sight impaired (partially sighted)
   • This person is severely sight impaired (blind)

   The form also acts as a referral for a social care assessment if the individual is not yet known to social services. Its secondary purpose is to record data to be used for research into the underlying causes and the effects of visual impairment.

2. Primary Eyecare Services Are Recruiting Service Leads
   They advise: “Primary Eyecare Services are the largest provider of eyecare services delivered through primary care optical practices. We are recruiting Service Leads to support the delivery of our services. The role is an exciting opportunity to support local practices and hospitals in the development and delivery of eyecare services. The role will be home based with the ability to travel as required for meetings. The role description, HERE, provides further information.

   To apply for the role please provide a copy of your CV/Resume with a cover letter outlining how and why you are suited for the role along with the number of days you would want to commit to the role. Please send email this information to recruitment@primaryeyecare.co.uk by Monday 27^th September 2021″

3. HVCCG Newsletter
   Is HERE, including vaccination and booster information in the Hertfordshire Local Resilience Forum newsletter, HERE, and wellbeing and mental health support, HERE.
4. FODO News
   Is HERE, including the Covid-19 booster vaccination programme, National Eye Health Week and a new consultation on medical devices.

Kind regards

Herts LOC