A diagnosis of sight loss can take a big toll on the emotions, quite apart from the practical problems people face. Who can provide support, and what is the best way to deliver it. Anger, grief, anxiety, isolation and a profound sense of lost identity and independence are some of the feelings that can overwhelm people following a diagnosis of sight loss. In some areas of the UK, emotional support is available to help those who are losing their sight, but elsewhere support is patchy – RNIB recent research states that 100 people will start to lose their sight every day, only 6% will be offered any emotional support or counselling. While it is accepted that everyone deals with sight loss in their own way and that there is no single solution to the emotional problems it causes, there is a growing body of opinion that more, and more reliable, support needs to be provided and that it should, ultimately, be funded by government. There is also a general feeling among blind and partially sighted people that those providing support services should be specially trained and have a real understanding of their specific needsHow will the pilot work? • Flyers to be given to eye clinic staff with Pat Senior confidential help line number • Patients call the help line and discuss their needs with Pat • decide about support needs and action to be taken which could be: o Refer to GP for more in-depth support/medication o Refer to RNIB helpline for more generic ‘arms length’ emotional support o Arrange initial meeting/assessment to discuss support plan o Agree an action plan of six week support for service user o Agree an exit strategy for the end of the six weeks which could be:  Refer for ongoing unlimited counselling they will have to pay for  Provide additional telephone support when needed  Support the referral to GP for longer term support