First patients benefit from local ophthalmology service | Bundaberg NewsMail

Wide Bay Hospital and Health Board Chair Dominic Devine said the region one of the oldest average ages of people in Australia, which makes the need for local ophthalmology services all the more pressing.

 
THE first public ophthalmology patients have been treated under an historic public-private partnership undertaken by the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service and CQ Eye.

 
Before this agreement was signed, there was no local public ophthalmology waiting list so patients had to be placed on lengthy waiting lists for specialist appointments and then surgery at Brisbane based health facilities.

 
“It’s fantastic to have patients seen locally, ending the long waits to be treated at a Brisbane facility,” Wide Bay Hospital and Health Board Chair Dominic Devine said.

 
“The Wide Bay has one of the oldest average ages of people in Australia, which makes the need for local ophthalmology services all the more pressing.

 
“Previously the long waiting lists and difficulties involved in travelling to Brisbane for treatment of eye conditions led to many people having their eyesight deteriorate further.

 
“Having a pathway for referrals and surgery locally is a real win for providing public ophthalmology patients with an improved level of care locally.”

 
The start of local ophthalmological services is an example of how the health service is delivering its commitment to extend the range of health services available locally.

 

Curated from First patients benefit from local ophthalmology service | Bundaberg NewsMail