I’m delighted to join the Health Policy Officers Network (HPON) which brings together expertise from across the health sector. Collaborative working brings great strength to policy positioning and is an excellent way of building knowledge and expertise, as well as networking with fellow peers. HPON is a great vehicle for this which will allow me to fully integrate myself within the sector and be part of an already thriving network.

Within my role as Senior Policy Officer, I analyse, research and engage in health and social care policy across Scotland that impacts on blind and partially sighted people’s lives. From engaging with Health Boards about accessible information policies, to working closely with primary and secondary eye care services to ensure that people with sight loss are receiving sight saving treatment – by establishing links with key influencers and partners, I can ensure that blind and partially sighted people are seen and heard at the point of health and social care policy decision making.

In addition, I conduct research to respond to consultations and produce reports that highlight preventative measures in the health service. For example, my report “Communication Failure? A review of the accessibility of health information for blind and partially sighted people” launched in February 2020, shares interview-based research to highlight ongoing barriers for people with sight loss when accessing their preferred formats.

Previous to my role at RNIB Scotland, I worked as Policy and Public Affairs Officer for the British Heart Foundation Cymru, being a key liaison during the 2016 local elections, and as External Relations Officer/Project Officer at Age Cymru, working on an award-winning care home project “My Home Life Cymru” and as an interview-based researcher for the Older People’s Commissioner’s Office for Wales report “Dementia: more than just memory loss”.

I’m looking forward to being a key part of HPON, working closely with Voluntary Health Scotland and the wider network to ensure that patients experiences are at the forefront of health policy decision making.

Laura Jones is the co-convener for the Health Policy Officer Network (HPON). Laura is Senior Policy Officer at RNIB Scotland, specialising in health and social care.