Diabetic Eye Screening Programme (West Midlands)

NHS England is responsible for commissioning Section 7A Public Health services which include the NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Programme (DESP).<br/><br/>The DESP programme/service is designed to detect diabetic retinopathy and other eye conditions in people with diabetes. The programme offers eye screenings to diabetic patients aged 12 and above. Screening appointments are typically offered at local venues linked to the patient's GP practice and HM Prison detained settings.<br/><br/>The goal is to identify any eye problems early on, allowing for timely treatment and reducing the risk of sight loss. If a positive screening result is found, patients are referred to a hospital eye service for further evaluation and management.<br/><br/>NHS England - West Midlands, has reviewed the existing DESP services delivered in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin Integrated Care Board (STW ICB) and the Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (SSOT ICB). These services cater to an eligible population of 123,243 individuals.<br/><br/>The service will operate across Staffordshire, including Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford, Cannock Chase, East Staffordshire, Lichfield, Tamworth, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire Moorlands, and Newcastle-under-Lyme and in Shropshire, covering Shrewsbury, Telford and Wrekin, Bridgnorth, Oswestry, and Ludlow.<br/><br/>With the current contract nearing its end, the new procurement aims to achieve the following benefits:<br/>* Improve patient engagement and outcomes<br/>* Enhance stakeholder relationships to foster collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement in the delivery of the service.<br/>* Quality assurance<br/>* More cost-effective use of NHS resources.