1. 1 Powys Eye Care Support Service Ceri Jackson Director RNIB Cymru

2. 2 Powys demographic – sight loss Density and total numbers of people with a degree of sight loss There are 5,173 blind and partially sighted people Some areas in central and south Powys have some of the highest prevalence of sight loss across Wales and the UK. Level of sight loss exceeds the UK average, with some areas amongst the highest 15 percent of UK postcodes in terms of sight loss per- head. Powys is dominated by a rural demographic, with the vast majority of the county being classified as both “Rural Communities” in ACORN, combined with high overall average ages and total numbers aged over 75

3. 3 T he role of the Eye Clinic Liaison Officer ECLO service is currently provided in every Health Board apart from Powys. Patients supported in the hospital eye clinic or via telephone if a face to face service is not possible. Emotional support, signposting and information Wherever possible the service is provided at the point of diagnosis and face to face. Integral part of the Welsh Government Eye Care Pathway for Glaucoma and Age Related Macular Degeneration. Support the development and running of peer support groups

4. What patients tell us 95 per cent of patients more informed about the support services available to them 83 per cent reported reduced feelings of anxiety 86 per cent reported feeling better informed and more confident to seek the next stages of support independently. In terms of self-care, over 60 per cent were more aware of their own role in managing and caring for their eye condition. 4

5. The impact of sight loss Older people with sight loss who live alone are three times more likely to experience depression sight loss has also been identified as one of the top three causes of suicide in older people. Older people with sight loss have 90 per cent higher odds of multiple falls 5

6. Social Return on Investment In an SROI Study of the ECLO service provided at Singleton Hospital in Swansea, there was a real financial return to health and social care of £10.57 for ever £1 invested 6

7. 7 Next Steps Consulting partners Joint project sponsors Bob Hudson and Ceri Jackson Appoint 2 year pilot – recruitment in progress Finding patients Working with local partners and service providers Evaluation Initial focus on central Powys Steering Group © RNIB Cymru Registered charity number / Rhif elusen gofrestredig 226227

8. 8 Thank you for listening Ceri Jackson Director of RNIB Cymru Ceri.jackson@rnib.org.uk © RNIB Cymru Registered charity number / Rhif elusen gofrestredig 226227