About EISN
The Early Intervention Support Network (EISN) is an email discussion forum, established to support staff working within eye clinic settings, providing front line services to newly-diagnosed blind and partially sighted people including those diagnosed with a sight threatening condition.
This includes those working as:
-
Non RNIB group and RNIB group Eye Clinic Liaison Officers (ECLOs)
-
Volunteers or full-time worker from any organisation
-
Help-line support staff
-
Specialist nurses
-
Information or help desk officers
-
Eye care early intervention officers
-
Low Vision support workers
-
Rehabilitation officers
-
Sight care advisors
-
Clinical support workers
-
Vision support workers
-
Patient support workers
EISN is facilitated by RNIB and is comprised of professionals working within eye clinics who manage helplines, provide emotional support, information and advice on eye conditions, welfare benefits, employment issues, local and national support services, rehabilitation services and more.
Network aim
The aim of the network is to create a community of professionals working within eye clinics across the UK, for peer support, development and dissemination of best practice, problem solving, sharing ideas, experiences and resources relevant to supporting and advising blind and partially sighted people at the point of diagnosis.
Please read the full EISN Terms of Reference (TOR) for further details about the aims and purpose of this network.
Network format
EISN is an e-mail discussion list network.
Discussion list networks are very easy to use and do not require members to log on to an external website to check network activity as all information is delivered directly to their chosen email account.
Once registered (see 'How to subscribe' below) members can email messages to the forum via their chosen email account (personal or work). When a member emails a message to the forum, it will immediately be sent to all network members instantly. Members will be able to easily respond to colleagues messages by repying to the email. This will allow members to provide support, advice and guidance to colleagues.
How to subscribe
Becoming a member is easy! You can 'subscribe' to the network by visiting the EISN Network login page.
-
Provide your name, email address and choose your password.
-
You can select your prefered language and whether you would like to receive a daily 'digest'.
The 'digest' default is 'No' which means you will receive an email directly to your inbox whenever a member posts to the forum. If however, you would prefer to receive one daily summary of all network activity, please select 'yes'. You can update your personal settings at any time and change your network preferences.
Once subscribed you will receive a welcome email asking you to confirm you registration. Once confirmed you can begin posting!
How to post a message
To post information to the network, you simply send an email from your 'registered' email account to eisn@lists.rnib.org.uk.
When a member posts to the network, all registered network members will receive the message and will support each other by responding to enquiries and resource requests as and when they are sent.
Please view the 'EISN forum message guidelines' below for further details on how to optimise your interaction with the forum.
Replying to a message
To reply to a message, click 'reply' as you would when replying to any other email.
It is important to note that when hitting 'reply' and 'reply all' this automatically adds the forum list email address to your message which will send your response to ALL members. If you wish to send a personal reply, you will need to manually delete the eisn list email address(eisn@lists.rnib.org.uk) from the 'TO:' field.
Please note, once an email is sent to the forum it cannot be retracted so please be careful to maintain confidentiality and avoid sending personal messages.
Updating your settings
You can adjust your network settings at anytime.
Changing your message options
The default setting for the network is for you to receive messages 'as and when' members post, but you can change your settings at any time, so that you receive just one daily 'digest' or summary of all messages sent on that day .
If you would prefer to receive messages as one daily digest, please follow this procedure:
-
Visit the EISN Webpage
-
In the EISN subscribers section at the bottom of the page under
'To unsubscribe from EISN, get a password reminder, or change your subscription options enter your subscription email address'. Enter your email address and click 'Unsubscribe or edit options'
-
Enter your password (or if you have forgotten your password click 'Remind' under the 'Password Reminder' section at the bottom of the page).
-
Scroll down to 'Your EISN Subscription Options' and in the second box down entitled 'Digest Mode' click 'On' and you will receive your daily digest rather than 'as and when' people post emails. Your messages will then appear as one email with the days forum messages as attachments within this email.
-
You can set your digest as either PLAIN text or MME.
PLAIN text: This is the default option which gives you one email containing all messages which you can scroll through. MME: This is the preferred option as it is one email which contains all emails sent that day as attachments.
N.B. All messages sent to the forum are archived on the website to allow members to access resources previously discussed. It is important that when discussing individual cases, confidentiality is maintained and specific client details are not included.
Acceptable Use Policy
By subscribing to the EISN mailing list, you agree to the following Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) and Terms of Reference (TOR).
Please ensure you read these before signing up. Anyone not following this policy may have their email deleted and be removed from the network mailing list.
Networking days
In addition to the online Early Intervention Support Network (EISN), RNIB also facilitates a face to face 'Networking day' which takes place on an annual basis in three locations; Birmingham, London and Leeds.
This one-day event is an opportunity for professionals to come together with colleagues working in an eye clinic setting and share best practice, offer peer support and provides continued professional development opportunities.
It is aimed at those working in health and social care providing a front line service to patients within an eye clinic or by a helpline, including: nurses, non RNIB group and RNIB group eye clinic liaison officers (ECLOs), and desk officers and volunteers from any organisation.
The aim of the day is to discover how professionals work towards the same objectives, enabling patients and carers to understand and come to terms with sight loss, whilst appreciating the different methods used to provide this service.
To find out more information about our forthcoming networking days visit Events, conferences and training for eye clinic staff.