Visual impairment

RNIB Eye Clinic Liaison Officers

RNIB Eye Clinic Liaison Officers (ELCO) are key in helping patients understand the impact of their diagnosis and providing them with emotional and practical support for their next steps.

When attending an eye clinic, people may not be able to take in or fully understand the information about their sight condition during their appointment and may not know what questions to ask.

This is made worse by increasing demand and capacity challenges in hospitals where staff have little time to sit with an individual at the point of diagnosis. ECLOs have the time to dedicate to patients following consultation so that they can discuss the impact the condition may have on their life.

ECLOs work closely with medical and nursing staff in the eye clinic and our Sensory Services team.

They provide those recently diagnosed with an eye condition with the practical and emotional support which they need to understand their diagnosis, deal with their sight loss and maintain their independence.

Contact:

• Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (RNIB Scotland), Eye Centre Borders General Hospital, Melrose TD6 9BS
• Working days Monday to Thursday
• SMS: 07771 940 387

Macular Society

The group meet on the first Monday of each month, excluding January at the Community Room ASDA, Currie Road, Galashiels, TD1 2AG between 1.30pm and 3pm.

Free transport by Teviot Wheels departs at 12.30pm from Abbey Row Community Centre Kelso, TD5 7BJ. They can also provide a door-to-door service for anyone who requires pick up at their home address.

If anyone from neighbouring communities such as Selkirk, St Boswells, Melrose, Innerleithen is interested in using transport to attend meetings then please get in touch with the local group organiser Laura Gray on 07948 352967 or laura.gray@macularsociety.org.

For more information about the Macular Society support services generally contact 0300 303 0111.

Sight Scotland Veterans

Sight Scotland Veterans (previously Scottish War Blinded) covers the Scottish Borders area and have two support workers who offer free support to ex-service men and women, no matter if they lost their sight during or after service.

If you or someone you know could benefit from Sight Scotland Veterans activities and support, phone free on 0800 035 6409 or contact Sight Scotland online.

Support can include:

• rehabilitation and training to adapt to sight loss
• grants for equipment to assist with independent living
• funded respite care
• home modifications
• sports, recreation and social activities

Guide dogs

Guide Dogs Scotland provides a vital service to children and adults with sight loss in the UK.

Services include:

• guide dogs
• sighted guide volunteers for adults
• sighted guide training for friends and family
• information and advice

For children, their services include:

• buddy dogs
• 0-4 play sessions
• custom made large print books
• family events
• sensory and technology equipment grants

For more information visit the Guide Dogs Scotland website, call 0800 781 1444 or email information@guidedogs.org.uk.