CHEC Announces Partnership with Royal National Institute of Blind People Post Date : April 1, 2022 News 2 minutes read CHEC has announced a strategic partnership with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to provide dedicated Eye Care Liaison Officer (ECLO) services for CHEC’s centres. The partnership launches on 1st April and will be rolled out to an initial 10 centres. The ECLO service will offer CHEC patients practical and emotional support after a diagnosis, ensuring patients receive readily available, personalised care. The areas of support offered by ECLOs include independent living, returning to work, benefit entitlements, use of technology, emotional support, and coping at home, empowering patients to discuss their concerns. Jon Dore, COO at CHEC commented on the partnership, saying “We are delighted to announce our partnership with the RNIB, which will enable us to offer our patients support from an RNIB Eye Care Liaison Officer. With the pandemic increasing the pressure on eyecare services, this innovative partnership will ensure our patients, their families and carers have personalised advice and support to cope with a sight loss diagnosis.” He added, “At CHEC, we care deeply about our patients and are committed to providing support across all aspects of their care and this new service will allow us to deliver on that promise.” RNIB has been delivering an ECLO service across the UK since 1994. ECLOs must successfully complete RNIB’s Eye Clinic Support Studies course, accredited by the City, University of London, and approximately half of ECLOs have sight loss themselves. The introduction of ECLO services is part of CHEC’s efforts to make healthcare more accessible for patients, following the recent app launch and the introduction of the free Home to Hospital transport service at the end of last year.