Lay summary
In its Diabetic Retinopathy Guidance, the Ministry of Health (MoH) recommends that people living with diabetes regularly attend retinal screening to avoid vision loss from diabetes. There is large variation in how district health boards (DHBs) implement this guidance, including in terms of where screening is performed and by whom. This variation is reflected in outcomes achieved, with retinal screening rates of the eligible population ranging from 17% to 66% across DHBs. Our team is currently undertaking an in-depth analysis of diabetes eye care services in Auckland and Counties Manukau DHBs to inform an HRC Health Delivery Research Project Grant Application in 2022/2023. The activation activity outlined here will contribute to our future application by allowing us to get an in-depth understanding of the range of service delivery models for diabetes eye care currently implemented across Aotearoa New Zealand, and their corresponding access and equity outcomes.