Diabetic screening put on hold by Essex PCT

A second Essex PCT has suspended diabetic retinal screening within optical practices following an external quality assessment.

NHS Havering PCT conducted the assessment of its screening programme in August which, it said, highlighted some areas for improvement. It confirmed that it had paused its diabetic retinal screening service so improvements could be made.

Earlier this year NHS North East Essex PCT temporarily suspended its retinal screening (News 07.08.09) after a review.

NHS Havering said: 'Pausing the programme meant that although we are currently accepting new patients on to the register we are not contacting patients immediately for screening. Those that have already been invited to be screened will continue to be seen at their appointment. The improvements highlighted by the external quality assessment were to do with grading of the images, administration and technical (computer) issues. An action plan was implemented to deliver the improvements to the programme.'