The Trust’s Diabetic Eye Screening Programme held a special clinic at Worksop Library, where 20 patients came along for checks.
The screening looks for diabetic retinopathy – a condition that can affect people with diabetes and damage the back of the eye. If it is not picked up early, it can lead to sight loss.
Anyone with diabetes can develop this condition, which is why regular screening is important – even if your eyesight seems fine.
In the early stages, there are usually no symptoms. Most people will not notice any changes until damage has already started.
The clinic screened 40 eyes in total. All the patients who attended had previously missed appointments, with some not having a check for up to 14 years. Holding the clinic in a familiar community setting helped reach people who had found it difficult to attend hospital appointments.
Patients shared why they had not attended in the past. Some said they felt anxious about the test and expected it to be painful or uncomfortable.
Others spoke about practical challenges, such as getting to hospital, finding parking, or relying on others for transport.
By offering appointments closer to home, the clinic helped remove some of these barriers and made it easier for people to access care – particularly for those who might otherwise miss out.
Jemima Beaumont, Diabetic Eye Screening Lead at the Trust, said: “Getting people back into screening after many years is a huge achievement and shows the value of bringing services into the community.
“Many people told us they had avoided screening because they were worried about what would happen, but they were surprised by how quick and painless it is. Others face real challenges getting to hospital. By bringing clinics into community venues, we can make it easier for people to look after their eye health.”
The Trust worked closely with the team at Worksop Library to deliver the clinic, with library manager Steve Powell offering the space free of charge due to a shared commitment to improving local health outcomes.
The Trust will continue looking at ways to bring screening closer to communities across Doncaster and Bassetlaw, helping more people protect their sight, as well as tackling health inequalities.