RNIB tackles follow-up appointment delay

Vision charity the RNIB launched an initiative to help patients get timely follow-up appointments for eye conditions during the Royal College of Ophthalmologists Annual Congress this week.

Eye care professionals were encouraged by RNIB to join forces on a new patient-self advocacy project.

The initiative, jointly run by RNIB, The Royal College of Ophthalmologists, Macular Society? and International Glaucoma Association, encouraged patients to inform their eye department if their appointment is delayed beyond the timeframe requested by their doctor.

A number of new materials have been developed to help ECPs educate and inform patients.

Steve Winyard, head of policy and campaigns at RNIB, said: ‘Self-advocacy is an important skill in today’s complex and over-stretched NHS. RNIB is calling on eye departments to support the joint initiative so they can help ensure their patients are seen and reviewed based on the timeframe recommended by their clinician.