Birmingham, Solihull and Black Country Diabetic Eye Screening Programme

14/11/2025

Globally, 7 in 10 adults (412 million people) living with diabetes are of working age. This years theme is ‘know more and do more for diabetes at work’. At InHealth we are committed to fostering a supportive work environment for all our staff and those that may live with diabetes. This includes offering flexible working arrangements and reasonable adjustments – as well as a highly skilled and approachable leadership community who are available to offer help and guidance to make working with a condition such as diabetes, easier.

This , we're joining the call for better diabetes awareness, reinforced through our partnership with the NHS to support the roll out of the National Diabetic Eye Screening Programme (DESP), now delivered across 19 locations across the UK, and supporting 2 million patients with diabetes. Attending your scheduled appointment is vital if you want to manage the condition. The routine check-up can help you spot and treat diabetic retinopathy early, which should prevent it from progressing to a stage where it’s more difficult to treat.

Get in touch with your local Patient Engagement Centre team or use our Patient Portal today to arrange an appointment that works for you. To find your local contact or Patient Portal details, take a look at our website here: https://www.inhealthgroup.com/diabetic-eye-screening/contact-and-locations/

If you want to better understand more of the signs of diabetes and assess your own risk, try out this online tool from World Diabetes Day: https://worlddiabetesday.org/type-2-diabetes-risk-assessment/

Look out for more from us and our teams, as we step out into the communities that we serve and encourage them to put their health first.

10/11/2025

Remembrance Sunday 2025- Lest We Forget
Yesterday, we paused to remember the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of all members of the armed forces as well as civilian personnel who served during the two World Wars and in subsequent conflicts.
At BSBC DESP, we join the nation in honouring their memory and expressing our deepest gratitude.
“At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.”

04/11/2025

🔬 New Research Identifies Early Trigger of Diabetic Eye Disease👁️
🧪 Scientists have discovered that a protein called LRG1 is involved in the early development of diabetic retinopathy- a condition that can lead to sight loss in people with diabetes.
🛑 Blocking LRG1 in lab models prevented early retinal damage, suggesting potential for future treatments.
📅 Regular diabetic eye screening helps detect changes early and protect vision.
🔗 Read more:

The discovery could revolutionise how retinopathy is treated, shifting from managing late-stage eye damage to preventing vision loss before it begins.The new study, led by Dr Giulia De Rossi at UCL, reveals that a protein called LRG1 plays a critical role in starting the earliest stage of eye damage...

16/10/2025

💜BSBC DESP Staff Supporting Birmingham Refuge Charity💜
A big thank you to all staff who recently donated prams, nappies, and other baby essentials to support families at Birmingham Refuge, a charity helping women and children rebuild after domestic abuse. Your generosity is appreciated.
🔗

Empowering women to live without violence & fear. Refuge is the largest domestic abuse organisation in the UK. Supporting thousands of women & their children overcome the physical, emotional, financial impacts of abuse.

08/10/2025

🎉 Well done to our fantastic BSBC DESP team! 🎉
Birmingham, Solihull and Black Country Diabetic Eye Screening Programme staff have been praised again in recent feedback from patients. Well done to all who were mentioned. Your dedication, compassion, and professionalism truly make a difference. 👏

03/10/2025

🎉 New Diabetic Eye Screening Clinics! 👁️‍🗨️🏥
We’re excited to share the news that Diabetic Eye Screening appointments will now be available at two brand-new Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) in the region! 🙌
📍 South Birmingham CDC
📍 North Solihull CDC
These modern, spacious, and welcoming clinics are designed to make screening more accessible 🧭 and bring care closer to our communities 🏘️, which is all part of a wider NHS initiative to ease pressure on hospitals 🏨 and improve patient experience 💙.
✅ Better access
✅ Community-focused care
✅ Comfortable environments
👀💪

23/09/2025

🧿Free Diabetic Eye Screening for the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community🧿
If you or a loved one has diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2) and are aged 12 or over, you are entitled to a free annual eye screening with the NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Programme.
👁️ Why it matters:
Diabetes can damage your eyes before you notice any changes. Screening helps catch problems early- before they affect your vision.
🕰️ Quick & Easy:
The test takes around 30 minutes and is done at a range of venues in the Birmingham, Solihull, and Black Country area.
💬 No need to worry – the team is friendly, respectful, and understands different ways of life. You’ll be treated with care and dignity.
Speak to our Team for more information or to book your next appointment:
📞0121 661 2220
📧 enquiries.bsbcdesp@nhs.net
🌐https://portal.bsbcdesp.co.uk/login.html

17/09/2025

👁️ Calling all community partners!
We’re looking to connect with local diabetes or health-related events across Birmingham, Solihull and the Black Country.
If you’re organising or know of any upcoming events where the Diabetic Eye Screening Programme could take part- whether through a stall, presentation or outreach- we’d love to hear from you!
📩 Drop us an email: hil.engagementbsbcdesp@nhs.net
📞 Give us a call: 0121 387 5600

11/09/2025

💙 Living with diabetes can be emotionally challenging- and that’s okay to talk about. 🧠💭
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. 💬💚

🧠💙 Local Mental Health Support services in Birmingham, Solihull & Black Country
1. Oasis Mental Health Support (formerly Solihull Mind)
Offers counselling, crisis support, social activities, and practical help.
🔗 https://oasismentalhealthsupport.org.uk
2. Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (BSMHFT)
Provides inpatient, community, and specialist mental health services.
🔗 https://www.bsmhft.nhs.uk/our-services/
3. Black Country Mental Health
Local charity offering trauma-informed support, counselling, and wellbeing activities.
🔗 https://blackcountrymentalhealth.org.uk
4. Living Well UK
Free therapy and wellbeing services across Birmingham and Solihull.
🔗 https://livingwellconsortium.com
5. Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Community mental health services across Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall, and Wolverhampton.
🔗 https://www.blackcountryhealthcare.nhs.uk/our-services/community-mental-health-services

🧠💙 Mental Health Support Charities in the UK
1. Samaritans – 24/7 support for anyone in emotional distress or suicidal crisis
🔗 https://www.samaritans.org
2. Mind – Mental health information, local services, and advocacy
🔗 https://www.mind.org.uk
3. Rethink Mental Illness – Support for people severely affected by mental illness
🔗 https://www.rethink.org
4. Mental Health Foundation – Research and programmes tackling the root causes of mental health issues
🔗 https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk
5. CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) – Support for anyone struggling, especially with suicidal thoughts
🔗 https://www.thecalmzone.net
6. SHOUT – Free, confidential 24/7 text support service
🔗 https://giveusashout.org

Shout is the UK's first and only 24/7 text service for anyone struggling with their mental health. Text 'Shout' to 85258 for free, confidential support anytime, anywhere

28/08/2025

🚨 Diabetic Eye Screening: Why It Matters for people aged 20–40 years old🚨
A new NHS England report conducted by Solutions Research Facilitation Ltd has revealed why many young adults with diabetes skip vital eye checks.
👀 Key Barriers
• Life’s busy, work, family, stress.
• Fear, denial, and poor understanding of DES.
• Rigid booking systems and cold service experiences.
💡 What Needs to Change
• Friendly, flexible appointments.
• Clear, supportive communication.
• Social media campaigns that actually connect.
• GPs and DES teams working together.
✅ Let’s make DES easier, warmer, and more relevant, because catching problems early can save sight.
📞 Need help getting to your next screening?
Call us on 0121 387 5600, we’re here to make it simple, stress-free, and about you.

21/08/2025

👁️💻 Diabetic Eye Screening Matters – But What If You Can’t Get Online? 📵📅
We know how important diabetic eye screening is for protecting sight. But not everyone has easy access to the internet, smartphones, or email. 😔
📍 If someone you know is living with diabetes and struggling to book or manage appointments due to digital barriers, we’re here to help. Whether it’s booking by phone, getting reminders by post, or finding local support – we’ll work with patients to make screening more accessible for them.
📞 Speak to our Team for more assistance: 0121 661 2220

13/08/2025

👁️💙 Diabetic Eye Screening – Supporting Patients with Addictions
We know that living with addiction can make attending appointments more difficult. That’s why our team is here to offer compassionate, flexible support to help every patient access sight-saving screening.
📅 Missed an appointment? No problem.
📞 Need help rebooking? We’re here for you.
Contact us:
☎️ 0121 661 2220
📧 enquiries.bsbcdesp@nhs.net
🌐 bsbcdesp.co.uk
You are not alone. Support is available. In addition to speaking to your GP, some important local addiction services include:
🔗 https://www.bsmhft.nhs.uk/our-services/addictions-services/ - Birmingham and Solihull addiction services
🔗 https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/addiction-support/ - NHS addiction support links
🔗 https://recovery.com/ – Top UK Rehab Centres
🔗 https://www.ukat.co.uk/ – Addiction Helpline & Clinics
Let’s keep care inclusive, stigma-free, and accessible to all. 💪

Addiction services provide a range of services to people with addictions that aim to prevent and treat substance misuse and improve community safety.