Eye screening data 'shrouded in confusion'

Progress on meeting government targets on eye screening for people with diabetes is shrouded in confusion due to conflicting statistics, according to a report presented to MPs this week.

The report, produced by charity Diabetes UK, has found that while some progress is being made in general, there are still problem areas including eye screening to prevent blindness.

It follows earlier publicity (News, November 4) on diabetes after a survey of primary care trusts. This new report Diabetes: State of the Nations 2005, compiles all available statistics and the views of people with diabetes.

Launched by the charity and the All Party Parliamentary Group for Diabetes, it highlights that a lack of clear information is hampering assessment and improvement progress.

'When targets are set it is important to know whether they are being met. We are concerned that pressure to meet targets will lead to local NHS providers plucking figures out of the air,' said Douglas Smallwood, chief executive of Diabetes UK.