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 | About us1. BackgroundDiabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of sight loss in the working age population. The condition is caused when diabetes affects the small blood vessels in the retina, the part of the eye that acts rather like the film in a camera. The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) decided to recommend a systematic population screening programme after reviewing evidence showing that it could significantly reduce the prevalence of sight loss through the prompt identification and effective treatment of the disease. Implementation of a national screening programme in England was announced in the 2003 Delivery Strategy for the National Service Framework for Diabetes. The programme was implemented across England between 2003 and early 2008. Screening is now delivered by more than 80 local programmes. Screening involves taking digital photographs of the retina followed by a two or three-stage image grading process to identify the changes of sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy. Screening is offered annually to all people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes aged 12 or over. It is estimated screening could save more than 400 people per year from sight loss in England. The main treatment is laser surgery. An External Quality Assurance (EQA) process was introduced in 2007 when peer review visits started to local programmes across England. The EQA process aims to ensure continuous improvement in the quality of services. Local programmes are measured against national Quality Assurance Standards and each local programme submits an annual report to the national programme team. 2. Vision and objectivesThe NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Programme aims to reduce the risk of sight loss among people with diabetes by the early detection and treatment, if needed, of diabetic retinopathy Sight loss has a significant impact, not just on individuals but on their families and communities. It also has a considerable economic impact on society. The NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Programme aims to provide a systematic and cost-effective screening programme that provides those people who have developed serious retinopathy with appropriate treatment, such as laser surgery. It also gives people with diabetes and their GPs information about very early changes in their eyes so they can take preventative action to stop serious retinopathy developing. The programme's specific objectives include:
For people with diabetes, the programme's objectives focus on integrating screening and treatment for diabetic retinopathy with other aspects of diabetes care, such as the management of blood sugar and blood pressure. The NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Programme reviews evidence regularly in order to make recommendations on policy developments and improvements in standards. 3. Programme structure and deliveryThe NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Programme is co-ordinated and led from the NHS Adult Screening Programmes Centre in Gloucester. The NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Programme is held to account by the UK National Screening Committee which is responsible for the implementation and delivery of NHS screening programmes in England. Accountability is also exercised through the production of annual reports. The NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Programme has an over-arching Programme Advisory Committee (PAC) supported by five sub-committees: Quality Assurance Committee; Grading and Assessment Committee; Training, Education and Workforce Committee; Camera, Software and Technical Committee; Research Advisory Committee. Local programmes deliver screening in line with national Service Objectives and Quality Assurance Standards. The NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Programme holds local programmes to account through quality assurance visits and the submission of annual reports. Each programme co-ordinates screening for its local population and organises invitation letters, screening clinics, results letters and referrals to eye departments. Local programmes send screening results to patients and their GPs. |
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