Blind and partially sighted people in East Grinstead share stories of vital eye clinic support service
People affected by eye conditions and sight loss in the East Grinstead area have gathered together to share how a hospital eye clinic support service has been changing lives.
It comes as The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) is marking the 30-year anniversary of its vital Eye Care Liaison Officers (ECLOs) at eye clinics across the UK.
When patients at Queen Victoria Hospital (QVH), in East Grinstead, are diagnosed with sight loss, they can be sure of essential support from the clinic’s Eye Care Liaison Officer (ECLO), Ellie Askew who is employed by RNIB in partnership with the NHS.
Last week, patients at the hospital’s Glaucoma support group explained how Ellie’s support has been vital to their confidence and wellbeing.
Over the past year alone, Ellie has provided invaluable information, advice, practical support, and emotional assistance to patients and relatives and carers affected by sight loss. Staff at the clinic have also received invaluable advice from Ellie on how to support patients with eye conditions.
ECLO’s have been in position at QVH for 10 years and Ellie, who has limited vision due to a genetic condition called Albinism, has been at the hospital for a year.
Ellie offers patients emotional support at what can be an incredibly difficult time. This includes a range of practical support such as registering for their Certificate of Visual Impairment, and accessing other services, to support with benefit application, testing and using technology and getting around.
Ellie says she was inspired to support others with eye conditions when she went to a specialist college for her A Levels and realised how important support from qualified staff could be.
She said: “Sometimes when you have limited vision you have your good and bad days, but having people around you who understand sight loss and the challenges and frustrations you can face can be extremely comforting.
“It’s about being that person that people can trust to understand and connect them with the support they need to continue getting out and about, working and living their lives to the full.”
Suzanna Parkins from East Grinstead has Glaucoma, a genetic condition passed down from her mother. She has had various operations and treatments.
She said: “There are times when a get a bit emotional and worry I am going blind but I pick myself up. I can still get around town because I’m local and I know the routes, but if I was going to see my friend in Essex for example that would be much more trickly.
“Ellie is so supportive. She’s easy to talk to and I can just text her if I have a question and she will reply or find out the information or I can come in and see her. It’s very helpful and sometimes if I’m just not feeling that great on a particular day I can come and talk to her.”
Lynn Martin, manager of corneal outpatients at QVH, said: “The ECLO makes a huge difference to patients. When we’ve got a very busy clinic and don’t have the time to sit with the patients, Ellie has the time to talk to them and offer them the support they need. They then become a familiar face so when the patients come back they know they have that point of contact.
“It makes a big difference to the way people feel - and that they have access to all that first-hand information they need.
“The support she gives to staff on the ward in helping them understand how to support someone with sight loss is also absolutely invaluable.”
RNIB has recently developed its Eye Care Support Pathway which aims to ensure patients are supported at every stage of their sight loss journey, from visiting an optician through to living in the modern world with sight loss. ECLOs will play an increasingly vital role in receiving referrals at key stages of the patient’s journey.
For more information about ECLOs, call RNIB’s Helpline on 0303 123 9999, or visit our ECLO page by clicking here.
Patients at Queen Victoria Hospital have set up an activities group organising walks and quizzes for people with eye conditions. Their next event is a quiz at Chequer Mead Theatre in East Grinstead on 23 May 2025. More details from Judy Bee on [email protected] or call 07972368732.
