Kent & Medway Diabetic Eye Screening Programme

02/01/2026

Happy Friday Feedback Day! 💙🎉

We’ve kicked off the post of the year by listening to what matters most — your feedback. Your voices help us improve and deliver the best possible experience every single day, so keep your feedback coming 💙

Our team works hard to ensure every patient feels supported and Libby is a shining example! Libby’s compassion and dedication truly make a difference for our patients. Thank you for going the extra mile! 👏

To get in contact with us, please:
📞 Call our Patient Engagement Centre on 01233 880000
📧 Email us on enquiries.kmdesp@nhs.net
💻 Access the patient portal at https://portal.kmdesp.co.uk
or DM us on here!

31/12/2025

🎉 Happy New Year 🎉

✨ Make eye health your resolution for 2026! - If you have diabetes, regular eye screening is vital. It’s quick, free, and could save your sight.

📞 Call our Patient Engagement Centre on 01233 880000

Let’s make 2026 a year of clear vision and healthy eyes! 👀

26/12/2025

Its that time again!! Feedback Friday 💙🎉

This week we highlight another one of our venues, Cascades Leisure Centre, Thong Lane, Gravesend, DA12 4LG

Enter through the main leisure centre entrance, turn left at reception, and follow the corridor to the end where you will see a ramp and a few steps. The Eye screening room is located down these steps and is well sign-posted. Take a seat and the screener will come out to get you. Disability access is good throughout the building.

Use this What3Words link to pinpoint the specific location of this venue - https://w3w.co/cheer.that.shack

📞 Call our Patient Engagement Centre on 01233 880000
📧 Email us on enquiries.kmdesp@nhs.net
💻 Access the patient portal at https://portal.kmdesp.co.uk
or DM us on here!

25/12/2025

A big Merry Christmas today for all those who celebrate! 🎅🎄❄️🎁

The festive period can be an exciting time full of food, drink, and celebrations - and if you're living with diabetes, remembering balance is key can help you enjoy your day.

Diabetes UK has some great advice on managing your diabetes over Christmas, including tips on food, recipes, and routines:

👉 https://www.diabetes.org.uk/living-with-diabetes/eating/christmas-food-and-diabetes

From all of us at the Kent and Medway Diabetic Eye Screening Programme, we hope you have a lovely Christmas! ☃️

For any questions, queries, or changes to any upcoming diabetic eye screening appointments, please:
📞 Call our Patient Engagement Centre on 01233 880000
📧 Email us on enquiries.kmdesp@nhs.net
💻 Access the patient portal at https://portal.kmdesp.co.uk
or DM us on here!

19/12/2025

Happy Feedback Friday 💙🎉

This week we concentrate on an efficient screener, Wayne. Clear communication and professionalism makes all the difference in helping our patients feel comfortable and informed. Thank you, Wayne, for going above and beyond! 👏

To get in contact with us, please:
📞 Call our Patient Engagement Centre on 01233 880000
📧 Email us on enquiries.kmdesp@nhs.net
💻 Access the patient portal at https://portal.kmdesp.co.uk
or DM us on here!

12/12/2025

Universal Health Coverage Day – 12 December 2025 👩🏽‍⚕️👨🏽‍⚕️‍👨🏻‍⚕️👩🏿‍⚕️

Today mark's the UN’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) —ensuring everyone can access essential health services without financial hardship.

At the Diabetic Eye Screening Programme, we know how vital accessible care is for preventing complications and protecting sight. No one should be left behind.

If you have any queries regarding your upcoming appointment, or your most recent appointment, get in contact with us.

📞 Call our Patient Engagement Centre on 01233 880000
📧 Email us on enquiries.kmdesp@nhs.net
💻 Access the patient portal at https://portal.kmdesp.co.uk
or DM us on here!

10/12/2025

The 20th November to the 20th December is Disability History Month.

At the KMDESP, we are committed to ensuring our service is accessible to everyone 💙

We strive to accommodate the needs of all our patients, including:
✅ Arranging BSL (and language) interpreters
✅ Providing easy-read and/or large-print letters
✅ Wheelchair accessible venues
✅ Desensitisation appointments
✅ Longer appointment time slots
✅ Appointments during quieter/less busy time

If you have specific requirements, please do let us know and we will do our best to support you:
📞 Call our Patient Engagement Centre on 01233 880000
📧 Email us on enquiries.kmdesp@nhs.net
💻 Access the patient portal at https://portal.kmdesp.co.uk
or DM us on here!

10/12/2025

Your vision matters.

If you have diabetes, you will be regularly invited for diabetic eye screening.

Screening is important because when eye problems are caught early, they can be treated more effectively, before you notice changes to your sight.

Find out more at nhs.uk/des or on our website here Diabetic Eye Screening - InHealth Group

InHealth has proudly partnered with the NHS for nearly 15 years to deliver diabetic eye screening across 19 of England’s 57 programmes - supporting over 1.8 million people in protecting their sight.

05/12/2025

Feedback Friday Time!! 🎉

This week our feedback focuses on our lovely venue; Parkwood Health Centre, Long Catlis Rd, Gillingham ME8 9PR

Use this What3Words link to pinpoint the specific location of this venue - https://w3w.co/regular.brightly.idealist

Enter through the main entrance and report to the receptionist on the far right. Please make sure you book in at reception, they will direct you to the clinic. The screening room is located on the first floor, lift available. Parking on site and roadside parking. Buses 116, 130, 132, 659, 720, 721 and 783 stop on Deanwood Drive, a 4 minute walk to the Centre.

Our team recently received some wonderful feedback about the experience at Parkwood Health Centre — from the warm welcome at reception to the inviting waiting room and friendly café staff, every detail helped make the visit feel comfortable and relaxed.

Thank you to everyone at Parkwood for helping us deliver care with compassion 💙

28/11/2025

Its that time again!! Feedback Friday 💙

At Kent and Medway Diabetic Eye Screening, we believe that great care isn’t just about clinical excellence — it’s about kindness, clarity, and making people feel truly seen and supported.

Molly embodies all of that and more. Her cheerful attitude and thoughtful approach helped turn what could be a routine appointment into a genuinely positive experience - Thankyou Molly 🙂

25/11/2025

Being screened so soon? 👁️📸

Digital Surveillance is a pathway where we will invite you more regularly. On this pathway, appointments are made to closely monitor any changes found during your routine diabetic eye screening. It is essential you attend these appointments, so please let us know if we can make any reasonable adjustments, appointment changes, or anything else that can support your attendane.

We do not want you to worry, we just want to keep a closer eye on you. 🌟

If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch. Similarly, if you have an upcoming appointment you would like to make changes for:
📞 Call our Patient Engagement Centre on 01233 880000
📧 Email us on enquiries.kmdesp@nhs.net
💻 Access the patient portal at https://portal.kmdesp.co.uk
or DM us on here!

Wondering why you have been invited for a screening so soon after your last?

If you are being invited again, you are likely in Digital Surveillance. This means there is a risk of diabetic retinopathy developing, and we want to keep an eye on it.

Please get in contact for any appointment changes:
📞 - 01233 880000
📧 - enquiries.kmdesp@nhs.net

24/11/2025

Remember to chat 💬

When was the last time you had a proper natter with someone?
A simple conversation can:
• Take the pressure off
• Lift your mood
• Help you bounce back
• Make you feel more connected

And there are so many easy ways to chat:
💙 A quick message
💙 A voice note
💙 A call on your walk
💙 A coffee catch-up
💙 A walk-and-talk
💙 A chat in the kitchen or staff room

We know even the smallest conversations can make a big difference to wellbeing. This Movember, reach out to someone, a simple chat could change their day.

If you need support or someone trained to listen, help is available:

Dadspace - www.dadspace.co.uk
Men’s Minds Matter - www.mensmindsmatter.org
Men Talk Health Sittingbourne - www.mentalk-health.org
Men2 Maidstone - www.involvekent.org.uk/directory/men2-group
Men in Sheds Sunlight Centre - www.sunlighttrust.org.uk/medway-men-in-sheds
Men walking and-talking - www.menwalkingandtalking.co.uk

And our mental health teams are here to help too - www.kentmedwaymentalhealth.nhs.uk