Important Information Due to Covid-19
As a result of the NHS responding to the coronavirus pandemic, you may have waited longer than normal for your diabetic eye screen.
It is important that you now attend your screening test. Delaying your screening further may put you at increased risk of developing diabetic retinopathy (eye disease or sight loss).
Travelling To and From Your Appointment
When travelling to and from your appointment, please follow the government guidelines.
Wearing a Face Covering
In line with government advice, when attending your appointment, you must wear a face covering. For guidance on how to wear and make a face covering, please visit www.gov.uk/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own.
At your appointment please be aware:
- Your appointment may not be at your usual venue.
- Social distancing measures will be in place in the screening clinic.
- Staff may be wearing protective clothing to protect you and them.
- The screening appointment may take longer than usual.
If you or any member of your household is suffering from any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or are self-isolating as outlined at www.gov.uk/coronavirus please do not attend the appointment.
If you have been shielding because you are clinically extremely vulnerable and you have concerns about the arrangements for your appointment, please contact your local screening service.
Similarly, if you are unable to attend, please contact your local screening service to reschedule your appointment for a different time. This is important so we can offer the appointment slot to someone else who needs it.
Appointment Arrangements
They have taken several practical steps to ensure those attending and their staff are kept safe in the clinics:
- A pre-screening health check call – to ensure those with COVID-19 symptoms (themselves or a member of their household) or self-isolating do not attend and their appointment is rebooked.
- Ensuring people attending their appointment are wearing or are provided with a face covering as per Government guidance.
- Social distancing guidance will be strictly followed.
- No waiting in the waiting room before the appointment or after the Tropicamide drops have been administered.
- All the equipment and room undergo rigorous cleaning between appointments and at the beginning and start of each day.
- A Perspex screen fixed on the camera.
- The Screener will be wearing full personal protective equipment (PPE) including apron, gloves, mask, and visor.
Full instructions on these new arrangements will be given in the appointment letter, during any telephone contact and are available on the website, www.gmnorthdesp.co.uk.
Survey
To provide some reassurance to people that are new arrangements were helping people to attend, during May and early June we surveyed those attending to check – Did they feel safe?
99.5% said they felt safe attending screening.