If you read the wording on that site it says "should" be free to all those over the age of 12 with diabetes - your gp may beg to differ, alter the time scale to three years and eg decide to provide good meds and test strips and lancets and arm's length health care from her arm chair and telephone consultations twice yearly and a diabetes psychologist doing the same. My gp s
If you read the wording on that site it says "should" be free to all those over the age of 12 with diabetes - your gp may beg to differ
You haven't quoted the exact wording or provided a link to it, but if you're referring to this:-
Who should be screened?
All patients aged 12 and over, with a diagnosis of diabetes should participate in the diabetic eye screening programme. This is the best way to ensure that risk of losing your sight is managed. Patients who have had bariatric surgery or no longer show the symptoms of diabetes should still attend for screening. Recent national guidance has confirmed this position.
http://www.nwldesp.co.uk/diabetic-eye-screening/
- the use of the word 'should' is just an acknowledgement that people cannot be forced to have screening and have the choice to opt out of it, though this is not recommended. If you go to the government's website it says:-
GPs do not have the freedom to change screening intervals - once a patient has been notified to their local screening programme, screening appointments are under the control of the national diabetic eye screening programme. If any eligible person has not been referred to their local diabetic eye screening programme, they should raise it with their GP in the first instance.