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University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) has opened two new community diabetic eye screening hubs, aiming to reduce health inequalities in our region.

The first hub is situated at the Bromwich Community Partnership - Stan Ball Centre in Bloxwich, Walsall. The second is at Hawkesley Community Centre, South Birmingham, screening up to 40 patients daily.

Diabetes is a rapidly growing problem and is up to six times more common in people from black, Asian or minority ethnic communities compared to other groups. One significant complication of diabetes is the development of diabetic eye disease which can lead to blindness.

This is why the diabetic eye screening programme offers free annual diabetic eye screening to detect these changes in the early stages - often before people become aware of the effects.

The Stan Ball and Hawkesley Community centres are now screening members of the public from a diverse range of backgrounds, faiths, and cultures to undergo these vital diabetes eye health checks at pre-booked appointments and walk-ins for anyone with type 1 or 2 diabetes.

Both hubs have free car parking for visitors and have central bus routes close by.

Dr Margi Clarke, Clinical Lead for the programme said: “The two new screening hubs based within community centres are an exciting addition to our 120 screening sites, offering more availability for people with diabetes to have their annual diabetic eye screening away from a clinical setting.

“Patients receiving their invitation to screening can call to book their test, and we are also sending out pre-booked appointments to patients who have not engaged for some time.

“The screening test is very quick and simple, and will detect any diabetic changes at the back of the eyes - preventing blindness by prompt identification and treatment.”

Rachel Ward, Finance Manager for Bloxwich Community Partnership said: “We are delighted that our Stan Ball Centre site has been selected as a community-based venue for retinal screening for those with diagnosed diabetes.

“We recognise the importance of retinal screening, and we will support and encourage those in our community affected by diabetes to take up the offer of this new and innovative community-based approach.”

Dawn McCarthy, Operations Manager of Age Concern at Hawkesley Community Centre said: “Having recently opened our second community café within our Hawkesley Centre, we see the benefits of bringing facilities into communities and having an embedded, accessible centre.

“For the community it offers quality food and drink at affordable prices, and the real value is with the meaningful activities and support sessions the café hub offers. Age Concern Birmingham is excited to welcome the team to the centre to offer diabetic eye screening as this is a great opportunity for the people to access services right within their own community.”

The programme is working towards breaking down barriers for people who may not usually engage with hospitals, GPs or optometrists. Staff have been recruited specifically for this project and have received tailored in-house training to provide diabetic eye screening.

The service currently uses an open invitation method where people can choose from local opticians across Birmingham, Solihull and the Black Country, as well as two health centres, and seven hospital-based clinics sites to attend eye screening.

If the screening hub pilot proves to be successful, continuing and extending this closed booking model method will be considered. The aim is to limit exposure to a large healthcare setting for people less likely to attend these settings, and enable the shortest travel times to greatly improve the accessibility of screening.