Health Department admits failings in diabetes patient screenings

Tuesday 26 February 2019

Tests to detect a serious eye condition that can cause sight loss in diabetes patients have not been carried out properly in Jersey, it has emerged.

The Health Department today announced that it was putting retinal screenings on hold following a review of the programme which identified failings in the process.

Currently, 5,000 Jersey people are known to have diabetes in Jersey and those whose details are held by the department are being invited to a new screening appointment, in order of priority.

It comes after a review of the systems and processes of the diabetic retinopathy screening programme revealed that aspects of the screening process had not been carried out fully in all cases. 

According to the NHS, people with diabetes are at risk of damage from diabetic retinopathy - a condition that can lead to sight loss if it's not treated and which is one of the most common causes of sight loss among people of working age. Eye screening helps detect the condition early.

Pictured: Dr John McInerney, Group Medical Director for Health and Community Services, said patients will be contacted in order of priority.

Following the review, Health and Community Services (HCS) has decided to temporarily pause the retinal screening programme while they work on developing necessary changes. These include increasing the number of retinal screening clinics, giving patients a written copy of their results and widening the service to include all children over the age of 12, as well as women who have developed diabetes during pregnancy. 

Dr John McInerney, Group Medical Director for Health and Community Services said that all patient records held within the Diabetes Service had been reviewed to give priority to patients who need it the most.

“Patients will be invited to attend a clinic appointment to have their retinal photographs taken under the new system. If someone has been identified as a high priority patient, an appointment letter has been sent to them.

“Patients identified as lower priority will receive their appointments as soon as all priority patients have completed their retinal check. This may be within the next few weeks or, if they have been assessed as requiring a routine appointment, within the next 12 months."

Pictured: A finger-prick diabetes test.

He said that patients do not need to take action until they receive a letter from the Department about their appointment. "However, we’d remind patients that if, they find they are experiencing any problems – such as visual changes or recent unexplained sight changes, even if they’ve recently been screened, or have a date for screening – please see your optometrist (optician) as a high priority," he added.

Dr McInerney added: “The best way to avoid the long-term complications of diabetes is to have regular check-ups with your GP, so your GP can advise you accordingly regarding any tests you may require or changes in your current treatment."

Bill O'Brian, Chairman of Diabetes Jersey, said that the charity had "for a considerable time" been "concerned at the low level of performance of this particular element" of diabetes care.

He welcomed today's news that the process would be updated, adding: "...We are obviously pleased that our concerns have, at last been acted upon. What HCS are planning will reduce dramatically the waiting time for a retinal test."

The charity also announced that it would be providing two new portable specialist retinal cameras costing £35,000.

"This is a significant step forward," Mr O'Brian said, "And Diabetes Jersey will continue to push for improvements in the level of care provided to everyone with diabetes."