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Diabetic retinopathy screening company 1st Retinal Screen has opened a London office after a recent contract win in London and appointed Grant Duncan as programme manager for its Diabetic Retinopathy Screening and Grading Programme.

The new office will support and develop its PCT customers in Greater London and deliver training courses in diabetic retinopathy screening and grading accredited by Roehampton University at Higher Education Level 3.

Duncan said that part of the company's service was ensuring staff are mentored through the National Certificate in Diabetic Retinal Screening. 'In this way we can be sure that our services are run to national guidelines and achieve national standards.'

1st Retinal Screen's now has an association with Specsavers where PCTs can use its stores to ensure that patients aged over 12 with diabetes are screened by December 2007, to meet the Diabetes National Framework targets. Its Swindon practice is one of four screening centres offered to patients by Swindon PCT. Pictures are sent to 1st Retinal Screen to be graded, and the results sent to the patient and the local GP.

Simon Williams, Specsavers' director of clinical services said it made sense for optometrists to be involved in diabetes screening, but how many practices would be commissioned was dependent on PCTs on a local basis.

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