Diabetes sufferer criticises care

Ron Bristo said his hospital appointments were being cancelled

A diabetes sufferer claims not enough people with the disease are being screened for related eyesight problems.

Ron Bristo, from Chislehurst, claims eye checks by the Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley Primary Care Trust are too infrequent and are often cancelled.

Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the UK, yet eyesight can be saved by simple tests and treatment.

The trust admitted that in 2003, less than 50% of diabetics were screened but said improvements were being made.

'Sight deteriorated'

A spokesman added: "The Darent Valley Hospital and the primary care trust are putting resources into the service... I am confident that we will screen 80% of the population by April next year."

Mr Bristo was first diagnosed with diabetes 30 years ago, and four years later his eyesight began to deteriorate.

The former brick layer had his eyesight monitored at the Darent Valley Hospital until his appointments started becoming less frequent.

"I was going every 17 months but they began cancelling my appointments.

"Every time it was getting near when I should go back, they would write to me saying so and so's gone away.

"I got so fed up that I changed health trusts," Mr Bristo added.

Diabetes UK revealed 51% of diabetes sufferers in the South East are not regularly screened.