RNIB’s flagship support service for people with eye conditions and sight loss has been awarded the prestigious Advice Quality Standard (AQS) - the only quality standard for organisations working in social welfare and law.
The standard was achieved by RNIB’s Eye Care Liaison Officer service (ECLOs) who are employed by RNIB in partnership with the NHS and work in eye clinics across the UK. They provide emotional and practical support before, up to and beyond a patient’s diagnosis. They also play a vital role in advising clinical staff about life with sight loss.
RNIB currently has 124 ECLOs in most of the major NHS eye clinics in the UK and the service is still expanding.
The AQS quality framework sets and assesses standards designed to ensure a service is well run, has quality control mechanisms in place and that in doing so, assures the quality of the information and advice services it provides.
The AQS certificate is awarded for two years and RNIB ECLO Services will continue to be reviewed against the standards during that time to ensure future audits continue the accreditation.
Cathie Burke, RNIB’s Practice Lead for Eye Care Support, said: “ RNIB’s ECLO service plays a vital role in supporting thousands of blind and partially sighted people each year who tell us it’s a lifeline to them. We’re honoured that the service has been recognised with AQS accreditation. It means patients can rest assured they’re receiving the highest level of care and gives valuable recognition to our ECLOs who provide life-changing information and support every day.”
As a service that holds the AQS accreditation, RNIB ECLO services have been audited against seven quality framework areas:
- Access to service
- Seamless service
- Running the organisation
- People Management
- Running the service
- Meeting clients’ needs
- Commitment to quality
The award further endorses RNIB’s commitment to best practice and quality support for patients wherever ECLO services are accessed and brings ECLO service into line with RNIB’s other advice and support services.
