The DECS service
The diabetic eye complication screening service (DECS) is the diabetic retinopathy screening programme for patients aged 12 and over who are registered with a GP in Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham.
Patients on a call/recall register are screened annually. Onward referrals to a medical retina clinic at St Thomas' or King's College Hospital are made directly by DECS for patients requiring possible treatment.
We run daily clinics| at St Thomas' Hospital, Guy's Hospital, Lewisham Hospital, and Kings College Hospital. We run a weekly clinic at Gracefield Gardens in Streatham.
For more information please contact the programme manager Clare Connor (clare.connor@gstt.nhs.uk|).
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Retinal screening register
The DECS Programme maintains a register of all patients with diabetes who are eligible for screening in Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham (LSL).
Currently all GP practices in LSL submit a monthly extract to DECS using the QMS software, which alerts DECS to newly registered and diagnosed patients.
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Routine referrals
DECS is a screening programme and aims to offer all patients and appointment within 3 months of referral as per the National Screening Committee Guidance.
We do not require paper referrals anymore except from the two practices who do not currently use the QMS software to send a monthy extract.
Newly diagnosed or registerered patients may self-refer by telephoning DECS. We prefer that their GP or practice nurse have first discussed this with the patient and provided them with a copy of this information sheet and self-referral, and have their NHS number:
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Urgent referrals
DECS is a screening programme. Patients who are symptomatic and require urgent assessment (eg sudden loss of vision) should be advised to attend eye casualty at St Thomas' Hospital or their nearest A&E department.