To mark world orthoptic day today we decided to find out more about what one of the trust’s orthoptists, Haneen Al-Jumaily, does at the Royal Free London (RFL). 

Haneen is one of 11 orthoptists who work at the RFL, seeing patients at clinics at the Royal Free Hospital, Barnet Hospital, Edgware Hospital and the Whittington Hospital.

Haneen said: “We are allied health professionals, which is the group of clinicians who aren’t doctors or nurses. It includes podiatrists, physiotherapists and dieticians.

“We work alongside ophthalmologists, eye doctors, to look after patients who have binocular problems, which are problems using the eyes together, or abnormalities in their eye movements.”

Haneen cares for a wide range of patients, including premature babies, patients with double vision, children with a turn in their eye, diabetic patients and patients recovering from a stroke.

She said she first became interested in the profession when she was a teenager: “Because I wore glasses as a child, I always wanted to study optometry.

“But I did work experience in Manchester Royal Eye Hospital when I was doing my A levels and I discovered I was more interested in the work done by the orthoptists.”

Haneen studied for three years at Liverpool University, one of only three centres to teach orthoptics in the UK. After working in Hull and East Yorkshire she has now worked at the RFL for almost a year.

She explained why she likes the job: “I like the fact that the days aren’t repetitive, every day we see new patients. I also love working with different people, with nurses, doctors, therapists, with all different members of staff. I work as part of a multi-disciplinary team so we all work together to provide care for each patient.” 

Ends

Image: Haneen Al-Jumaily in the eye clinic at the Royal Free Hospital.

Notes to editors

Media contacts: mary.mcconnell2@nhs.net or call 020 7472 6665

About the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

The Royal Free began as a pioneering organisation and continues to play a leading role in the care of patients. Our mission is to provide world class expertise and local care. In the 21st century, the Royal Free London continues to lead improvements in healthcare.

The Royal Free London attracts patients from across the country and beyond to its specialist services in liver and kidney transplantation, haemophilia, renal care, HIV, infectious diseases, plastic surgery, immunology, Parkinson's disease, vascular surgery, cardiology, amyloidosis and scleroderma and we are a member of the academic health science partnership UCLPartners.

In July 2014 Barnet Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital became part of the Royal Free London. Read 'A bigger trust, a better future'.