"Diabetic Eye Screening Programme Arches Centre"

I had my annual Diabetic Eye Screening appointment at the Arches Centre Belfast earlier today.

I developed Type 2 Diabetes around COVID, and know that eye and eyesight health are very important.for those with diabetes.

I phoned about 3 weeks ago to see if I could get an appointment slot in February 2025, and they gladly slotted me in.

I also received text reminders about the appointment: very helpful, and much better than letters which tend to go-astray or arrive after appointment dates - if at all.

Today's appointment was in the usual place in the Arches Centre.  I arrived on-time and had only a very short wait before the practitioner, Angela, greeted me and introduced herself, and brought me to the treatment area where she explained the process.

Angela took my details, and administered eye-drops - totally painless - which would help with the screening.  I waited for another 10 minutes for the eye-drops to take-effect, and then Angela used the optical equipment to take some pictures of each eye.

Angela said the photos seemed OK, but an expert practitioner would look-over them and they would be in touch with me by letter at that time.

I thanked Angela and said I would compete feedback on this facility ,- including on the helpful text appointment reminders.  Angela said these text reminders had really improved attendance levels for appointments.  I am not surprised.  Text messages to confirm appointments and for reminders are definitely the way-forward!