NHS, social care and third sector leaders gathered today in London to explore new ways to ensure people with eye care needs can access emotional and practical support.
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) Collaborate for Good event unveiled a UK-wide Eye Care Support Pathway framework to ensure patients are supported throughout their eye care journey.
More than 20 organisations have endorsed the Pathway, following two years of research plus insight from 500 people and 30 organisations representing professionals and patients across the sector.
RNIB chief executive officer Matt Stringer said: ‘Today is an important milestone, but only the beginning of the work we need to achieve together, moving forward to better support people across their eye care journey.’
Next steps will see the VI Charity Sector Partnership working with NHS and social care bodies to implement the Eye Care Support Pathway.
ABDO’s clinical lead Max Halford said that ABDO welcomed and endorsed the eye care support pathway: ‘Dispensing opticians are often the first eye care professional a patient encounters in practice and they recognise the importance of effective and timely communication with patients.
‘This work will help us on our journey to transform eyecare services for patients from the very moment they walk into our practices.’
The full report and a graphic with information about the co-designed pathway are available on the RNIB website.
