Diabetic Retinopathy Screening (Hansard, 19 July 2004)

§ Rev. Martin Smyth
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what funding has been made available in the last year to roll-out a regional diabetic retinopathy screening programme in Northern Ireland; and(a) how and (b) where this funding has been spent. [183451]

§ Angela Smith
In the financial year 2003–04 £175,000 was allocated to the four Health and Social Services Boards, on a capitation basis, to begin the development of a regional diabetic retinopathy screening programme. This year (2004–05) £300,000 has been provided to the boards towards the extension of the programme. These resources will allow the boards to commence recruitment and training of staff for photography and grading, and certain aspects of IT. £100,000 has been set aside to support the development of central elements of the programme including a regional co-ordinator, clerical support, and a quality assurance framework. A further £300,000 capital funding is available this year for the purchase of essential equipment.

§ Rev. Martin Smyth
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the implementation strategy is for rolling out regional diabetic retinopathy screening in Northern Ireland; and what the(a) timescales and (b) targets for the future roll-out are. [183452]

§ Angela Smith
Introduction of a comprehensive regional diabetic retinopathy screening programme with its different methodologies and complex IT and operational aspects is expected to take a number of years. Boards are developing local implementation plans which take account of local needs and existing arrangements. They are being guided by the Department's Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Working Group. The aim is to screen around 20,000 people with diabetes in the current year, subject to recruitment of appropriate staff.
104W

§ Rev. Martin Smyth
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the progress is of the Regional Diabetic Retinopathy Steering Group since January in taking forward the proposals outlined in the Report of the Working Group to the Chief Medical Officer, October 2002, entitled Proposal for the Introduction of a Comprehensive Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Programme in Northern Ireland. [183453]

§ Angela Smith
Following the Report of the Working Group, money was made available in April 2003 to develop diabetic retinopathy screening. Since then the Department's Diabetic Retinopathy Working Group has been overseeing developmental work required for the extension of the Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Programme. This includes work with Health Board staff, and other health professionals involved in screening, in progressing local implementation plans. Work is also on-going on issues including regional coordination, a quality assurance framework, datasets and IT support. The capacity of the treatment services is also being assessed.