Over 10,000 Local People At Risk Of Blindness

5.52.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 21st Apr 2008

New figures obtained by local Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate, Richard Burt show that Worcestershire PCT is failing to screen nearly half of all local diabetics for diabetic retinopathy.

All 21,788 people with diabetes in Worcestershire should have been invited to attend a free retinal screening eye test by the end of December last year, and by the end of March this year, 80% of local diabetics should have received their free scan. However, only 50.1% of local diabetics have so far been offered and taken up the screening.

Mr Burt, who is the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Health Spokesperson for the West Midlands, said today: "These figures are seriously worrying. Diabetic retinopathy affects up to 80% of all diabetics who have had diabetes for 15 years or more, and in many cases leads to blindness. Research shows though that at least 90% of new cases can be reduced if there is proper and vigilant treatment and monitoring of the eyes.

"Worcestershire PCT needs to take responsibility for this shocking neglect of local diabetics. Retinal screening must become a priority.

"The PCT is risking thousands of people's sight. Prevention is as important as cure in any medical condition. It is also much cheaper.

"I urge the PCT to invite the remaining diabetics in Worcestershire for screening immediately, and hope to see greatly improved figures to March."