RNIB issues guidelines on breaking news to parents

The guidelines, compiled in consultation with more than 20 professional organisations including the College of Optometrists, have been published by the Royal National Institute for the Blind. Aimed at informing health professionals involved with newly diagnosed blind and partially-sighted children and their families, the guidelines are available either as a free summarised factsheet or a more detailed booklet that costs &\#163;10. RNIB research on the publication, entitled: Taking the time: telling parents their child is blind or partially sighted - guidelines for good practice, found that for most parents, sensitive care from professionals reduced significantly the trauma experienced when finding out that a child had serious vision problems. Issues highlighted by the publication as having the greatest importance include rapid referral processes, attentive and non-obtrusive staff, confidentiality and clear information. Two children in every 1,000 in the UK have a serious sight problem. Organisations such as the Health Visitors Association and the Royal College of Nursing also helped to compile the guidelines. Alistair Fielder, consultant paediatric ophthalmologist at the Western Eye Hospital who worked with the RNIB on developing the guidelines, said: 'Being told that your child has a serious sight problem is a traumatic experience, and support and information from professionals is crucial at every stage of diagnosis. RNIB's Taking the time guidelines will greatly improve the service which parents of blind or partially-sighted children receive.'