Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust has secured the diabetic eye screening programme for Birmingham, Solihull, the Black Country region and Wolverhampton area, covering a population of more than 160,000 patients.

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness for working age adults in Birmingham. Under the new programme, Heart of England Trust – which runs Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital and Community Services – will ensure eligible patients are screened once a year to detect any changes, ensuring those affected are treated quickly.

The Trust demonstrated its ability to offer a high-quality and cost effective service, fighting off stiff competition from a range of other private contractors. Having managed the current screening programme from 2010, the new diabetic eye screening programme will run until 2019.

Dr Margaret Clarke, clinical lead for diabetes eye screening service, said: “We will continue to provide a clinically-led, high-quality and cost effective service for patients in Birmingham, Solihull, the Black Country and Wolverhampton area. The tender bid was very much a team effort and I am thrilled that patients will continue to benefit from our knowledge and expertise.”

For more information on the Trust’s diabetes service, visit www.retinalscreening.co.uk.