RNIB Eye Care Support Pathway launched in Birmingham

People with lived experience of sight loss and professionals in the eye health sector came together to celebrate the launch of the Royal National Institute for Blind People’s (RNIB) Eye Care Support Pathway at an event in Birmingham.

The day-long event, entitled Collaborate for Good, took place on Wednesday 18 September at Aston University and saw over 100 delegates attend.

The day saw those with experience of sight loss and their families and carers join professionals and partners who have worked on the pathway for a day that included panel debates, presentations from expert speakers, and a buffet lunch.

Attendees heard first-hand from those with sight loss about the challenges of navigating an often-fragmented system.

More than two million people in the UK live with sight loss, a number which is set to double by 2050.

Delegates heard that many of those affected by sight loss find eye care pathways confusing and hard to navigate, and that access to emotional and practical support is inconsistent.

The fact that lack of access to timely and appropriate information, advice and support can leave people feeling overwhelmed was also highlighted.

RNIB

RNIB chair, Anna Tylor, speaking at the Collaborate for good event in Birmingham

The Eye Care Support Pathway was formalised in November 2023 to address these issues, and represents a new, patient-centred approach to eye care support.

The pathway sets out patients’ needs during initial appointments and after diagnosis, with the aim of ensuring people are supported at every stage of their eye care journey and that they can go on to live well with their condition.

It is hoped that the pathway will help people better navigate their eye care journeys and access appropriate support at key moments when they are likely to need it the most.

It was co-designed with 23 eye care organisations, including the AOP, and has been endorsed by the Clinical Council for Eye Health Commissioning and the national clinical director for eye health, Louisa Wickham.

In September, Wickham called on the eye health workforce to “support and, where possible, adopt this pathway.”

Speaking about the impact of the Eye Care Support Pathway, RNIB’s chief operating officer, Mari Jones, said: “Hearing you’re losing your sight can be a bolt from the blue or confirmation of something you have suspected but didn’t want to acknowledge.

“RNIB has developed the Eye Care Support Pathway in collaboration with the NHS and with partners across the eye care sector to change people’s lives, making sure however they are feeling, they don’t feel alone.”

She added: “I urge eye care professionals to adopt this framework and implement it across the board to ensure patients have access to the right support at the right time.”

Lead image: Rob Cooper, RNIB’s strategic engagement lead for NHS services, and Mari Jones, RNIB’s chief operating officer