Can collaborative working improve diabetic retinal screening rates in individuals also diagnosed with a severe mental illness?

Abstract

We aimed to create a collaborative data sharing project between two NHS trusts to improve attendance and access to diabetic retinopathy screening in individuals with severe mental illness (SMI). The eligible patient lists were analysed before and after interventions to assess their effectiveness over two data runs. Screening attendance rates increased by 31% and 25% in the data runs; a significant number of patients (15%) who were screened required onward referral to hospital eye services. Patient registrations increased from 35% to 86% for previously not registered individuals. Inpatients were around 50% more likely to get screened and registered than community patients. Information sharing and collaborative working between services can improve patient health outcomes, increasing the number of eligible individuals with SMI registered and improving attendance. The project shows the potential for future data sharing collaborations, highlighting the need for further improvement, development and investment.