North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust (PCT) is set to cease funding for an Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO). The PCT has also announced it will cut funding to an information centre which provides emotional and practical support.
The move follows an appeal against the funding cuts by York Blind and Partially Sighted Society (YBPSS), which runs both the services. It previously received nearly £21,000 per year for the ECLO and just over £15,500 part funding for the centre from the PCT.
The cuts will mean the ECLO post, based at York Hospital, will no longer exist and there will be reduced opening hours of the centre. ECLOs provide practical and emotional support to people with sight loss, or their carers, often at the point of diagnosis.
The PCT is being called to the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee at the City of York Council on February 20 to discuss its decision.
York Blind and Partially Sighted Society website: www.ybpss.org