Patients at Central Middlesex Hospital who have been diagnosed with sight loss will now be able to benefit from professional support thanks to a newly appointed Eye Care Liaison Officer (ECLO).

Russell Gwebu has taken up the post at the hospital in Park Royal and will be on hand five days a week to help offer emotional support and vital information to patients who have just received a sight loss diagnosis.

Having lost much of his sight after a car accident when he was 21 years old, Russell knows first-hand the challenges his patients are facing.

Russell said: "After the car accident I couldn't see anything at all for two to three weeks. My world just stopped, but I soon found out that everyone else's carried on.

"When I first heard about the ECLO role, I just thought it was a great idea. Consultation times in eye clinics are limited so having an ECLO at hand to offer practical and emotional support to patients is fantastic.

Russell Gwebu, the new ECLO at Central Middlesex Hospital

"I saw a patient the other day who was certified with sight loss a year or two ago. He was in his 40s and seemed very confused with everything. But we helped him get a copy of his Certificate of Vision Impairment and put him in touch with an organisation that can help him fill in the DWP forms, so he can begin to get the support he needs."

Sharita Jhummun, Clinical Lead for Optometry and Orthoptic Services at Central Middlesex Hospital, said: "The hospital is very happy to welcome Russell. The new ECLO service will help to support the well-being of our new and follow-up patients. The new service is vital to treating patients holistically and is very much needed. Patients have welcomed the bridge between health and social services."

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Karen James, ECLO Service Manager at RNIB, said: "We are so pleased to have the new ECLO service at Central Middlesex. Russell has already started to talk to patients to give them advice on how to lessen the impact that their eye condition may have on their life.

"The ECLOs support patients who are often struggling to find their way through a sometimes frightening and often unpredictable and complex sight loss journey. The ECLO has up to date knowledge of local and national service provision and the time to connect with patients to understand and access support to meet their needs.

"They also help prevent avoidable sight loss, by talking through treatment and helping people to understand their medication if necessary."

To find out more about ECLOs and how to meet with one, RNIB's Helpline on 0303 123 9999 (8am-8pm weekdays and 9am-1pm Saturdays).