Private eye checks mooted by health board

Diabetes patients at risk of going blind may have more opportunities for checkups if a proposal to hand over screening services to private optometrists is adopted by MidCentral District Health Board.
Retinal screening services are used to detect diabetic retinopathy – a common complication of diabetes that can cause loss of sight.
People with diabetes are generally screened every two years. If they are high risk, they can be screened up to every six months and if any degeneration is detected, the patient is referred to the Ophthalmology Department at Palmerston North Hospital for treatment.
The DHB's community and public health advisory committee recommended changes be made to Palmerston North's screening service so private optometrists could carry out the screening process.
It is hoped the proposal will be adopted by the board on Tuesday.
In recent years, retinal screening services for the Tararua, Otaki and Horowhenua communities have been provided by private optometrists under a contract with Central PHO.
MidCentral is hoping to extend the same service to the Palmerston North and Manawatu communities, which have received their service from Palmerston North Hospital up to now.
MidCentral Health senior portfolio manager of primary healthcare Craig Johnston said the proposal would free up some of the hospital's already stretched resources.
"Using optometrists to provide retinal screening in the community will make for a more convenient service for patients. It will also free up capacity in the ophthalmology department at Palmerston North Hospital, allowing the department to focus on more specialised services."
Mr Johnston said the move would save money as well as create a larger pool of expertise.
"Combining all retinal screening services into one contract will also reduce administration costs and optimise accountability.
"Maintaining a quality service is very important. The MidCentral Health ophthalmology department will be involved in the selection and training of optometrists and will also provide oversight of the service on an ongoing basis," Mr Johnston said.
The proposed changes, which are outlined in the 2010-2011 Annual Plan and a business case, are hoped to be in place on October 1, and will be under a two-year contract.