Issue - meetings

To receive a presentation from the RNIB organisation, which supports blind and partially sighted people, on the Lost and Found Campaign Supporting Blind and Partially sighted people.

The Committee received the presentation on the RNIB organisation’s Lost and Found Campaign, presented by Sally Tagholm (Haringey Phoenix) and Andrew Kaye (RNIB Policy Analyst).  The main aim of the campaign was to increase the number of Eye Clinic Liaison Officers (ECLOs) in local hospitals to provide advice and emotional support to patients.

The Committee noted that savings in the cost of treatment could be made by early intervention of patients losing their sight and 10 minutes of a clinician’s time per patient could be saved with the use of a liaison officer.

The Committee was urged to encourage the Council to explore the possibility of funding ECLO posts.  A Committee Member suggested that, whilst it was not possible to lobby for additional spending at present a letter could be sent on behalf of the Committee to the  Chairs of relevant local NHS trusts, including NHS North Central London and that the issue be placed on the agenda for the next meeting of the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (JHOSC) for North Central London.

RESOLVED to note the presentation by RNIB on the Lost and Found Campaign and to recommend that the matter be considered at the next North Central London (NCL) review meeting.