PCTs improve eye screening performance

Advances are being made towards providing eye screening for the early detection of retinopathy in diabetic people, but there is still a long way to go.

This is the conclusion of the latest progress report by Diabetes UK on services in England following 2002's national service framework (NSF) targets.

The NSF target states that by 2006, 80 per cent of people with diabetes will be offered screening for the early detection of retinopathy (rising to 100 per cent by 2007). 

In a survey of primary care trusts, updating data from last year, 68 per cent of PCTs state that they provide a systematic retinal screening programme that meets National Screening Committee standards. This compares with 56 per cent in 2004. In total, 56 per cent now use digital cameras for eye screening, compared with 50 per cent in 2004.

Responding PCTs report that an average of 66 per cent of people with diabetes were screened for retinopathy in the past 12 months, compared with 56 per cent in 2004.

However, the charity said that schemes for paediatric diabetes care were lacking in many local health organisations, with only a quarter of PCTs stating that they pledged to improve this service in their 'local delivery plans'.

Although advances are being made in eye screening, Diabetes UK's report claimed this could be let down due to paediatric diabetes specialist nurses being over-stretched, with an average case load of over 100 children each. 'Such a case load does not allow nurses the time to provide the care children need,' it reads.

Chief executive Douglas Smallwood said: 'The future health of children with diabetes is being put at risk, yet only a quarter of local NHS services have included improving the situation in their local plans. We cannot wait until our children start to lose their sight before we focus on their care.'

The latest survey received responses from 64 per cent of PCTs, slightly down on last year's feedback from 71 per cent of England's 302 PCTs.