Bringing a specialist health clinic to Worksop Library has helped residents access care they'd previously struggled to find. The diabetic eye screening clinic tested 40 eyes across 20 patients, screening for diabetic retinopathy, a condition that can damage sight if left undetected.
What made this clinic significant was the patients it reached. All those who attended had previously missed appointments. Some had not had a check for up to 14 years.
Patients explained why they'd stayed away. Some felt anxious about the test, expecting it to be painful. Others faced practical barriers: getting to hospital, finding parking, or relying on others for transport.
By holding the clinic at Worksop Library, the trust removed these obstacles. Patients were surprised by how quick and painless the screening was. The library manager Steve Powell offered the space free of charge because of a shared commitment to improving local health outcomes.
Jemima Beaumont, Diabetic Eye Screening Lead at the trust, said: "Getting people back into screening after many years is a huge achievement and shows the value of bringing services into the community. By bringing clinics into community venues, we can make it easier for people to look after their eye health."
The trust plans to continue running community-based clinics across Doncaster and Bassetlaw.
