South Tees diabetic eye screening patient letter
Dear patient
As you are aware the government has introduced very specific restrictions to reduce the spread of coronavirus. As diabetic patients are at higher risk of developing complications should you be infected, we must take measures to reduce these risks.
Therefore, together with the South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust management we have decided on the following changes, to try and reduce the chances of you getting infected or passing the infection to other people.
- All patients who have their diabetic eye screening yearly, the appointment will be deferred for 6 months from their date of appointment for the next 3 months.
- All patients who have their appointment at 9 monthly intervals, the appointment will be deferred for 4 to 6 months from the date of appointment for the next 3 months.
- All patients who have their appointment every 6 months, your images will be reviewed by senior grading staff and decided if your appointment is essential or can be deferred by 4 months from the appointment date for the next 3 months.
- All pregnant diabetic patients will have their images reviewed and decided if the appointment can be deferred for 3 months from the appointment date for the next 3 months.
- All newly diagnosed patients will be postponed for 3 months.
If you feel that your vision has deteriorated significantly or you are worried about your vision being affected by diabetes, please ring 01642 283226 and we will do our best to answer your queries.
We will update our website with further information as this becomes available.
These are temporary measures and things may changes depending on how the COVID-19 pandemic evolves.
Best wishes and stay safe.
Miss D Vaideanu-Collins, FRCOphth, MD
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon and Vitreo-Retinal Specialist
The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough
Clinical Lead South Tees NHS Trust Diabetic Eye Screening Programme
