We are delighted to have been nominated at the upcoming annual Visionary Conference for our innovative authentic partnering with Southampton General’s Ophthalmology Department in the development of their Sight Loss Nurse Advisor Program.
Nominated in the RNIB sponsored ‘Connect and Collaborate’ category, with the express goal of better serving the visually impaired community, the Sight Loss Nurse Advisor training was created around the need for better understanding and empathy, patient empowerment and collaboration. Streamlined to ensure the early intervention and ongoing support necessary to help the newly diagnosed and long-term sight impaired alike, the program has been developed, initiated and run at all points by those with lived experience of sight loss.
Sourced from within the eye unit and beyond, the prospective Sight Loss Nurse Advisors undertake a 4-week training course, building on the already bulging NHS toolbox of techniques and knowledge, through practical exercises and discussions with the very patients they serve.
Since its inception and inauguration in 2022, the program has to date trained an amazing 11 members of staff not only from the eye unit, but from such frontline services as paediatrics and neurology. Embedding conscientious support networks within the backbone of the NHS,
Our program unites the medical and social, breaking down barriers to empower and promote self-advocacy, self-reliance, and independence in the patient experience. To date some 700+ patients have been seen by the SLNA team, providing support, advice and information on the spot, with some 450+ of those seen having been referred for more targeted, tailored ongoing help through referral partners.
Spanning all ages, ethnicities, minority groups and backgrounds, the feedback received has been overwhelmingly positive, and the program shows no signs of slowdown with the next batch of trainees scheduled to attend Southampton Sight this coming autumn.
And so, it is a tremendous honour and source of pride that we find ourselves nominated for such an esteemed award. Never our goal or intent, being recognised for what we do day in and day out to benefit the sight loss community of Southampton is nevertheless truly humbling and we would like to thank all those who have voted for us. Fingers crossed, winners will be announced at the Visionary conference dinner held on Wednesday, September 25th. Watch this space for updates.
