Kent & Medway Diabetic Eye Screening Programme

Happy Feedback Friday! 🙌

This week highlights a heartwarming message from one of our patients. We are so grateful for this kind feedback and proud of our team for their dedication to patient care! All feedback is welcome, please feel free to get in touch!

📞 Call our Bookings Team on 01233 880000
📧 Email us on [email protected]
💻 Access the patient portal at https://portal.kmdesp.co.uk
or DM us on here!

Check out Diabetes Uk Helpline - It is a dedicated diabetes helpline for all people with diabetes, their family or friends, and people who are worried they might be at risk.

If you have any questions about Diabetic eye screening or your appointments with us give us a call on📞 01233 884110

The Diabetes UK Helpline can be called on 0345 123 2399 or emailed at [email protected].

It is a dedicated diabetes helpline for all people with diabetes, their family or friends, and people who are worried they might be at risk.

Call our confidential helpline to talk to our highly trained advisors – they have counselling skills and an extensive knowledge of diabetes. They can provide information about the condition, take the time to talk things through and explore emotional, social, psychological or practical difficulties. You don't need a question about diabetes to call us.

If you would like to speak with us in a language other than English, just call the helpline number and tell us your name, telephone number and the language you wish to speak in. We will then arrange for an interpreter to call you back within a few minutes.

Did you know?

Eye problems caused by diabetes are called Diabetic retinopathy. This can lead to sight lost if it's not found early.

Diabetic eye screening is not the same as regular sight tests, although you should still attend those. Diabetic eye screening appointments specifically look for anomalies in your eyes that diabetes can affect.

If you need to change your appointment venue, time or date, call our bookings team on 01233 880000.

If you need an interpreter for a different language or BSL, or have any general questions call Us on 01233 884110.

It's time for Feedback Friday again! 🥳

Thank you for your feedback! We're committing to making every visit as smooth and comfortable as possible, please let us know how we can best support you for your visit with us.

📞 Call our Bookings Team on 01233 880000
📧 Email us on [email protected]
💻 Access the patient portal at https://portal.kmdesp.co.uk
or DM us on here!

The KMDESP will be attending a 'Living with Diabetes Day' on Tuesday the 22nd October 2024, hosted by Diabetes UK in Westgate-on-Sea in Thanet - we hope to see you there! 🎉

The event is free for any Type 2 Diabetics living within Kent, and is a fantastic chance to learn more about living with diabetes, diabetes management and a chance to connect to other members within the community.

More information below ⬇

🎉 Join us for our next Living with Diabetes Day in Kent! 🎉

📅 Tuesday, 22 October 2024
⏰ 10am to 4.10pm (Registration from 9.30am)
📍 Westgate-on-Sea, Thanet (Full address provided on registration)

👨‍⚕️ What to Expect:
- Expert talks and workshops covering a wide range of topics related to diabetes management.
- Practical advice on day-to-day care, nutrition and foot care.
- A chance to connect with others in the community.
- Refreshments and lunch provided.

🎟 Is this event for me?
This free event is aimed at adults in Kent who live with type 2 diabetes.

👉 Register Now: https://orlo.uk/RYPG4

Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn, connect and take control of your health! 🚶‍♂️👟

Check out Diabetes UK's video below, which shows how diabetic retinopathy can affect you vision.

Diabetic retinopathy initially starts as asymptomatic. We screen your eyes to spot the condition as soon as possible, even before any changes to your vision have occurred.

👁️ It can be hard to describe diabetic retinopathy – problems with your sight due to diabetes - but our short film helps us to understand its effects on vision better.

▶️ Watch it on YouTube and please share: https://orlo.uk/hhncD

Check out Vision Matters' vision simulator (linked below), that transforms the webpage into how different eye conditions would look, including diabetic retinopathy.

https://www.visionmatters.org.uk/home/e-vision-simulator

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the leading causes of sight loss in the UK. At your diabetic eye screening appointments we are searching for early signs of diabetic retinopathy, potentially before any sight changes have occurred.

E-vision Simulator Vision really matters. Sight is the sense people fear losing the most, yet many of us don't know the best way to look after our eyes. National Eye Health Week aims to change all that. Eye care charities, organisations and health professionals from across the UK have joined together across the UK in....

🎉Welcome to our first Feedback Friday🎉

We will be kicking things off with some wonderful feedback from a recent screening.

After your most recent appointment you will receive a text from us with a link to fill out how your appointment with us was, or alternatively get in contact to leave feedback!

📞 Call our Bookings Team on 01233 880000
📧 Email us on [email protected]
💻 Access the patient portal at https://portal.kmdesp.co.uk
or DM us on here!

Here are some helpful pointers to help you make it to important diabetic eye checks:

1️⃣ Remember that it isn’t a sight test, so you won’t have the expense of buying new glasses, if this is a worry.

2️⃣ If the appointment is hard to get to by public transport, check with the eye check provider or GP if there are other clinics that may be easier to get to by bus or train even if they're further away.

3️⃣ And if you’re unsure about the check itself or going to a new place, ask a neighbour, friend or relative to go with you.

4️⃣ Finally, if you aren’t being offered regular diabetic eye check appointments, contact your GP or hospital team.

Our engagement team attended a Homeless workshop yesterday. It was very informative, delving deeper into South East Homelessness. On our tables we discussed what we all can do to help this specific cohort of people, as well as aiding them to access their health appointments.

Diabetes can damage your vision or lead to blindness. Ensure you attend your Diabetic eye screening appointments.

Regular eye screening is not the same as your regular sight test at your Opticians, at our diabetic eye screening appointments the examination includes using eye drops to dilate your pupils and digital photos will be taken of the back of your eye which is called the retina. These photos are then reviewed by accredited specialists and your results are sent straight to you after they have been graded.

To book/change your appointment call our bookings team on 01233 880000

🌍📸 Happy World Photo Day! 📸🌍

Today we celebrate the incredible power of photography - not just to capture beautiful moments and create memories, but to safeguard your vision and health. The Kent and Medway Diabetic Eye Screening Programme use retinal screening cameras to take photos of the back of your eyes, searching for signs of diabetic retinopathy.

We are more than happy to change your appointment, so if you would like us to change the day, time, venue or make any reasonable adjustments for your appointment, please:

📞 Call our Bookings Team on 01233 880000
📧 Email us on [email protected]
💻 Access the patient portal at https://portal.kmdesp.co.uk
or DM us on here!

Margate Ashford 2024!!

A varied group of us from KMDESP joined the Pride celebrations and engaged with the community of Margate; spreading the word of Diabetic Eye Screening and the importance of attending appointments.

It was a day filled with love, acceptance, and celebration. This in-person event was a fantastic opportunity to come together with the community, show our support and to spread the importance of Diabetic Eye Screening.

Let's continue to work towards creating a world where diversity is celebrated and everyone can live authentically.

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

This is a diagram of the Cross-section of the eye, showing the pupil, lens, optic nerve, macula and retina.

Diabetic retinopathy occurs when diabetes affects small blood vessels, damaging the part of the eye called the retina. It can cause the blood vessels in the retina to leak or become blocked. This can affect your sight.

In some cases, the blood vessels in the part of the eye called the macula can also become leaky or blocked. This is known as diabetic maculopathy.

Screening is an important part of your diabetes care. Untreated diabetic retinopathy/maculopathy is one of the most common causes of sight loss. When the condition is caught early, treatment can reduce or prevent damage to sight.

Please attend your appointments, it could save your sight!!

Here's a full map for our Diabetic eye screening Venues in Kent and Medway.

If you need to change your Venue for your next appointment give our bookings team a call on 01233880000.

Kent and Medway Team had a Team Building Day!!

After updates at the office, The whole team ventured up to Folkstone Harbour to litter pick the streets and beach of Folkstone.

We then got into teams and worked together to complete a treasure hunt. This was a great opportunity for everyone to catch up and work with different members of our team.

Staff communicated, collaborated and worked as a team to complete the day, we even had time for an 'EYES' cream!! 🍦

We are listening to your feedback; This month we have found the most frequent comment on our friends and family feedback and see what we can do to help solve it.

After attending your appointment with us you will receive a text message with a link to the Friends and Family feedback form.

Feedback through our socials, phone number or email are also welcome!

📞 - 01233 880000
📧 - [email protected]

Today is Samaritans Awareness Day, because the Samaritans are available to listen 24/7, for anyone who may not be coping.

Every 10 seconds a Samaritans volunteer answers a call for help. There’s no typical person who calls Samaritans’ helpline and there’s no typical problem that people talk about. No issue is too big or too small. Their extraordinary listening volunteers offer a safe and non-judgmental space for those who need to talk through whatever it is they are facing.

Remember, when life is difficult, Samaritans are there to listen day or night. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at [email protected], or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.

There were 1,304 missed appointments within Kent and Medway during June 2024.

We are more than happy to change your appointment, so if you would like us to change the day, time, venue or make any reasonable adjustments for your appointment, please:

📞 Call our Bookings Team on 01233 880000
📧 Email us on [email protected]
💻 Access the patient portal at https://portal.kmdesp.co.uk
or DM us on here!

First ever 'Blind Barbie' doll released by toy-maker Mattel Mattel has released its first ever blind Barbie doll

Some of Kent and Medway's team went to the Diabetic Eye Screening Conference in Birmingham!!

The conference was kicked off by our very own programme manager, Pamela Hebditch, about the evolution of Diabetic eye screening.

We then had other informative talks including organising mass screening events, the remarkable role of dogs from the Medical Detection Dogs charity, general patient experience and ensuring patient equity, as well as some impressive retinal knowledge from an ophthalmologist!

The team enjoyed having discussions with different programmes, to find out what works best for them. We even had time to have a boogie and some karaoke to wrap the day off!!

Diabetic Eye Screening Conference 2024! 👁👁

Have a look at our Eligibility criteria and information leaflet for patients that may need additional care.

Diabetic eye screening staff are qualified diabetic eye screeners. They can not offer any medical or carer assistance to patients.

If you need to book transport, Patient Transport is a service provided by G4S on behalf of the NHS Integrated Care Board for Kent and Medway, call G4S on 0800 096 0211 to book patient transport for your appointment.

KMDESP supported a Type 1 Diabetes Family Picnic Day!

It was an event on Saturday the 6th of July, that was dedicated to families navigating Type 1 Diabetes. Organised by a mother who has a child with Diabetes, that wanted to raise awareness and bring people with Type 1 together. 💚

With a Psychotherapist, Dietitian and a success story from a teen with Type 1 Diabetes, to spread awareness of the holistic care you should take when diagnosed with diabetes; and the memorable phase from the day...

'Diabetes does not control me, I control the Diabetes'

Thankyou again T1D Family Events 💚

KMDESP are fostering the MECC approach!

Making Every Contact Count (MECC) is an approach that encourages us as health care staff to use the opportunities arising during routine interactions with patients to have conversations about how they might make positive improvements to their health or wellbeing.

We can help you change/amend your Diabetic Eye screening appointments if needed. Our bookings team can adjust your appointments according to what YOU need.

A different venue? Cant make your appointment? Are you a new patient that wants to know more about what happens at an appointment, or are you a patient in need of a desensitisation appointment to get to know the ins and outs of our service.

Call our booking team and they can help you today ☺️

Kent and Medway Bookings team : 01233 880000

KMDESP are attending a Type 1 Diabetes family picnic event in Gravesend Saturday the 6th of July; Come and say hello and don't forget to bring a picnic!! 🍏🥪🥗

See you there!! 👋😃

Hello everyone! 🌟

We are so excited! Our Type 1 Diabetes Family Picnic is happening next Saturday! 🗓️ It's going to be a wonderful day filled with fun activities, great company, and valuable support.

📅 Date: Next Saturday, July 6th
🕒 Time: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
📍 Location: Woodlands Park, 217 Wrotham Rd, Gravesend DA11 7LF

Please see the photo below to find our exact location within the park.

Remember to bring your picnic blankets, snacks, and plenty of smiles!

We look forward to seeing you and creating wonderful memories together. ❤️

Just a few tips from KMDESP regarding the hot weather and your Diabetes 😎🌞 🕶🧢🥛

Stay hydrated
Keep meters, medication and test strips away from the sun
Be hypo aware, Keep your Hypo kit on you
Wear sun protection
Check blood sugar levels

If you’re being active or just relaxing, everyone knows that hot weather will make you sweat. This is your body's natural way of cooling down, but you’ll need to replace the fluids. Drinking water or sugar-free soft drinks will help you to stay hydrated. Carry drinks with you and make sure you have regular sips.

Pride Ashford 2024!!

A varied group of us from KMDESP joined the Pride celebrations and engaged with the local community; spreading the word of Diabetic Eye Screening and the importance of attending appointments.

It was a day filled with love, acceptance, and celebration. This in-person event was a fantastic opportunity to come together with the community, show our support and to spread the importance of Diabetic Eye Screening.

Let's continue to work towards creating a world where diversity is celebrated and everyone can live authentically.

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜