Health Minister Lord Howe has said that the number of eye clinic liaison officers (ECLOs) can only increase, if there is a demand for them.
In an exclusive interview with Lord Howe, where NB urged the Government to push for more ECLOs in hospitals, Lord Howe said there needed to be "evidence of their success and the benefits for patients."
He added: "Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) will be responsible for making sure services meet the needs of their local communities. We would expect them to draw on evidence about effective ways of supporting patients."
ECLOs are "effective"
However RNIB has said gathering this information is already under way. Stevie Johnson, Manager - Eye Clinic Impact Team said: "We have been gathering evidence from patients, ophthalmologists and social service departments that shows how ECLOs are effective in supporting people.Patient experience research shows the impact ECLOs have on ensuring speedy referral from certification to registration with social services."
Peter Corbett, Chief Executive of Thomas Pocklington Trust, also spoke of the benefits of ECLOs to the NHS. "Ophthalmologists are very busy people who have a lot of patients to look after so their limited time is very precious - by using ECLOs they can make the best and most efficient use of it," he added.
The use of ECLOs, he said, saved money and "improves outcomes for patient, so there is a strong business case to CCGs for a good ECLO service to be made available in every eye clinic."
Article published in NB magazine March 2013.