University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust has appointed
Emma McKeown as Bristol Eye Hospitals first Eye Clinic Liaison
Officer (ECLO).
After working in the role for two months, Emma completed a
four-day Eye Clinic Studies Course on 2 December. This Royal
National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) qualification was awarded
by City University London.
As ECLO, Emma provides a wide range of support to people with
newly diagnosed visual impairment. This includes providing further
information about sight conditions, discussing the impact of
conditions with patients, helping patients to complete paperwork to
register their condition, and early and accurate signposting to
services provided by statutory and voluntary agencies.
Clare Bailey, Consultant Ophthalmologist, said: Were delighted
to offer Bristol Eye Hospital patients the added benefits of an
ECLO as part of the fantastic service provided by our Patient
Information Office.
Its particularly poignant that weve created this post during our
celebrations of the 200th anniversary of the founding of the
Bristol Eye Hospital, a leading specialist hospital at the
forefront of ophthalmology, eye care and treatment. Today we have
over 120,000 outpatients and emergency attendances a year, and the
creation of this highly-trained role is extremely important in
optimising the support we can give to those patients with visual
difficulties.
About her recruitment, Emma said: After working in commercial
banking for ten years, I was looking for a change of direction. I
decided on a career in healthcare and began to study for an Open
University degree in Health and Social Care. This included a year
working part-time in Occupational Therapy at Southmead Hospital,
part of North Bristol NHS Trust. Im using all of the skills I
gained there in my new role, which Im really excited about -
not only for myself, but for the hospital.
Tara Melton, RNIB Bristol Campaigns Officer, said: RNIB welcomes
University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trusts decision to
employ an ECLO at Bristol Eye Hospital.
When a person loses their sight, the support and information
they receive from an ECLO is absolutely vital. It makes the
difference between a person coming to terms with blindness and
living as independent a life as possible, or not.
Blind and partially sighted people across the Bristol area
worked hard to secure this appointment, in partnership with staff
at Bristol Eye Hospital. We also thank the following groups who all
helped to secure this important post: Action for Blind People,
Bristol Social Services, South Gloucestershire Council, Bath &
North East Somerset Council and Vision North Somerset.
ENDS
