The Role:
The ECLO role is based within eye clinics in hospitals. The ECLO is a key point of contact for patients to be given information on, and referral to, rehabilitation and support services in the community following a diagnosis of vision impairment.
This service started in 2019. NCBI have two ECLOs employed to cover patient support in four Dublin hospitals- The Royal Victoria Eye and Ear, CHI at Temple Street, Crumlin Children’s Hospital and Mater Misericordiae University Hospital.
The Campaign:
The NCBI campaign aims to highlight the vital role that ECLOs have in supporting people at the point of diagnosis within the hospital setting and the need to expand their availability to all acute eye hospital settings across the country.
NCBI asks the HSE to fund 7 new Eye Clinic Liaison Officer positions in hospitals nationally with an estimated cost of €490,000 per annum. These new positions will support additional 11,760 patients and their families per year.
More information from the survey completed by NCBI 2019
- 94% of clinicians report the ECLO service fills a gap in support that would not otherwise be offered by the eye clinic.
- 88% of patients reported improved emotional well-being after meeting the ECLO.
- Because of the ECLOs intervention, almost 90% of patients supported are now being actively supported to maintain their independence across the local community.
How can you help?
Below is a letter template outlining the importance of ECLO and the asks. You can send this letter directly to your local TD or HSE manager.
You can also email us at campaigns@ncbi.ie and give permission for your name to be added to the letter that NCBI will be sending to the HSE and Minister for Health.