Critical eye assessments can now be provided to patients living in regional and remote areas as a result of new technology which has been installed at Sydney Eye Hospital.
The new retinal cameras enable specialists at the newly opened Gadigal Eye Clinic to conduct eye checks at Moree without the need of an on-site specialist, potentially benefitting thousands of people. Work to expand the network to Tamworth is underway.
The Clinic, based at Sydney Eye Hospital, has already made a significant difference to the eye health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people all over NSW.
More than 90,000 patients have already been seen for corneal, retinal and general eye treatment since the clinic, originally known as the Bicentennial Eye Clinic, was set up in 2014.
The retinal cameras will be easily used by GPs and nurses in the outreach centres, making it possible for the team based at the Sydney clinic to diagnose and provide a treatment plan for eye issues detected in a rural or regionally based patient.
Access to this service will support Aboriginal people, no matter where they live, to have the same access to services, without needing to leave their community. They can have peace of mind knowing their ongoing care is provided in partnership with local healthcare providers. This virtual service will begin in 2025.
Patients treated in person at the Macquarie Street clinic will have a welcoming, culturally safe space that includes artwork by Aboriginal artist and Yuin man, Billy Reynolds. The hospital grounds have also been transformed with guardian stones and Australian native plants.
Fundraising by the Sydney Eye Hospital Foundation has helped raise $200,000 towards creating this welcoming and safe environment.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Ryan Park:
"We know that Aboriginal people are three times more likely to suffer from visual impairments than non-Aboriginal Australians. They are also four times more likely to have diabetic eye disease and 12 times more likely to have a blinding cataract.
“This clinic will address these statistics, acting as a hub for in-person as well as virtual care services for eye patients throughout rural and regional NSW.
“The Gadigal clinic will provide world-class care in an environment that prioritises the needs and comfort of the clients – by doing so, we can provide the best patient-centred and holistic healthcare.
“I’m really proud Sydney Eye Hospital are embracing virtual care, as it goes a long way to ensuring all communities have the very best standards of healthcare, whether they are in rural, regional, remote or large metropolitan areas.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty, David Harris:
“It’s estimated 35 per cent of Aboriginal adults have never had an eye examination and when a condition or disease is diagnosed, they are waiting longer for surgery accounting for 11 per cent of the health gap.
“According to National Eye Health report, 94 per cent of vision impairment or blindness experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is preventable or treatable.
“Closing the gap to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal people and to do so in a culturally safe and appropriate way is a top priority of the Minns Labor Government and the Gadigal Eye Clinic is a perfect example of this.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Sydney, Alex Greenwich:
“People in the city can take for granted how lucky we are to have so many medical specialists so accessible compared to remote and regional areas. The Gadigal Eye Clinic not only bridges that gap through technology allowing teams based at the Sydney clinic to diagnose and provide a treatment plan for eye issues, it also helps to close the gap of the poor eye health, impairment and blindness currently disproportionately experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”
Quotes attributable to Jennie Barry, General Manager, Sydney/Sydney Eye Hospital:
“The clinic will help us Close The Gap by reducing barriers to accessing eye care – particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients in rural and remote locations – and improving coordination of care between different providers.
“The new technology will enable local teams based in regional and rural NSW to be able to call on the specialist expertise of both Sydney/Sydney Eye and Prince of Wales Hospital.”