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 exacerbated 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 the sensory services team in social services also based in the Borders General Hospital. 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 Alison Patonday:

• Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (RNIB Scotland), Eye Centre Borders General Hospital, Melrose TD6 9BS
• Working days Monday to Thursday
• SMS: 07771 940 387
• RNIB email - alison.patonday@rnib.org.uk
• NHS email - alison.patonday@borders.scot.nhs.uk
• Read more about the RNIB ECLO service

Macular Society Scottish Borders Support Group

• first Monday of each month 1.30-3.00pm
• ASDA Community Room, Currie Road, Galashiels TD1 2AG

The group is currently organised by Laura Gray. You can contact her on 07948 352967 or at laura.gray@macularsociety.org. General enquiries can also be made on 01264 560259. 

Free transport is provided by Teviot Wheels, departing at 12.30pm from the Abbey Row Community Centre in Kelso. Door-to-door pick-ups can be organised on request.

Transport can also be arranged from neighbouring communities such as Selkirk, St Boswells, Melrose, Innerleithen etc. using an additional bus. To find out more, call 01264 560259.

For further information about the advice and support available, please visit the Macular Society website or contact their Helpline on 0300 3030111.

Sight Scotland Veterans

Sight Scotland Veterans (previously Scottish War Blinded) covers the Scottish Borders area and have two support workers who will 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 dog for the blind

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:
  • 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
• phone: 0800 781 1444
• email: information@guidedogs.org.uk