Award for NHS phamphlet on diabetic eye checks

An educational pamphlet on the importance of getting screened for diabetic eye disease has been awarded for providing clear-cut information.
The pamphlet was created by NHS Derbyshire County and sent out to around 50,000 people with diabetes in the county between September 2006 and April 2012 in a bid to explain how health checks on the eyes can detect early signs of diabetes-related eye problems such as diabetic retinopathy, which if left untreated can lead to loss of vision.
After being nominated for being ‘well-written’ and ‘free of medical jargon’ by one of its recipients, it has now received a national award from the Plain English Campaign. The independent group praised the health trust for its ‘crystal-clear communication’.
“We’re delighted our leaflet has been singled out from thousands for communicating clearly with its audience – as this could be critical in helping more patients benefit from these simple, but potentially sight-saving tests,” said Lorraine Tunbridge, Manager of NHS Derbyshire County’s Eye Screening Programme.
She added that all diabetic patients in the county aged 12 years and over can access the specialist programmen, which uses digital camera technology to check for damage to the small blood vessels within the retina (retinopathy). In people with diabetes, this damage is caused by prolonged elevated levels of blood sugar.
For more information about the diabetes service, visit ddrss.nhs.uk.