NB, the magazine for professionals working with people with sight loss, is being relaunched and will now available for free.
NB is a bimonthly magazine for eye health and sight loss professionals published by the charity Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).
The magazine gives professionals up to date information on the latest research, treatments and news that helps them support people at the point of diagnosis and when coping with sight loss.
Regular features will focus on shared practice and interviews with people working in the field, plus careers advice and job vacancies for professionals looking to move into eye health.
The first new edition, out in March, features an interview with Lord Howe, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department of Health, who speaks about the upcoming health reforms and the Government's new commitment to eye health.
Lord Howe said: "The Government is committed to improving eye health. For the first time tackling preventable sight loss will be used as a measure of improving the public's health and wellbeing.
"Regular eye screening for people with diabetes is another important area for safeguarding eyesight. From April 2013, Public Health England will take on responsibility for all screening services, ensuring they will be consistently and effectively promoted across the NHS."
The March edition also features award-winning nurse, Professor Janet Marsden, who has produced educational resources for health professionals overseas. The results of a survey of ophthalmologists on the process of the certificate of vision impairment (CVI) process are also published, following an RNIB report that criticised doctors for failing to understand the process.
NB will feature six pages of hard-hitting news as well as the introduction of dedicated eye health and careers section. The edition also features a full analysis of the incoming Government welfare reforms and how it will affect people with sight loss.
Olufunmi Majekodunmi, Editor of NB at RNIB, said: "By publishing NB free online, we can bring the latest news, views and developments in the eye health and sight loss sectors to more professionals."
If you are a professional working in the eye health or sight loss sectors in the UK, please email nbmagazine@rnib.org.uk with your details to request your free subscription or read NB online at www.rnib.org.uk/nbmagazine from 4 March.
NB was launched by the National Institute for the Blind in 1917. Initially called The Beacon and later New Beacon. NB's readers include rehabilitation workers, social workers and other care professionals, eye clinic staff including ophthalmic nurses, orthoptists and eye clinic liaison officers, and local society staff and support groups.
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Media enquiries
Lucy Stanyer on 020 7391 3291 / 020 73291 2223 or lucy.stanyer@rnib.org.uk.
Notes to editors
Existing NB subscribers will automatically be converted to a free subscription when your current subscription ends. Alternatively, you can request a refund.
RNIB is not able to extend our free offer to subscribers based outside the UK. However, readers can buy NB online or call 0303 123 9999 if you want multiple copies or are based outside the UK. An annual subscription costs £36 in the UK and £54 abroad. NB is published six times a year and is available in a range of formats including Braille, audio and accessible email.