Written question asked by Adrian Sanders (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 5 December 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 8 December 2005. It was answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Labour) on Tuesday, 20 December 2005 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Diabetes

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of people with diabetes have been offered retinal screening to test for signs of diabetic retinopathy as part of a systematic retinal screening programme in the past 12 months.

Answer: [holding answer 8 December 2005]: Latest performance data from local delivery plan monitoring shows that at September 2005 57.3 per cent. of people with diabetes had received screening for diabetic retinopathy over the past 12 months. National figures are not yet available on the numbers of patients offered screening. However, it is expected that at least 70 per cent. of people offered screening will receive it.2004–05 data from general practices participating in the quality outcomes framework of the new general medical services contract records 85 per cent. of people with diabetes as screened. These two sources produce different information because the two data collections have different purposes and definitions.

Secondary information