Closing the Gap in Indigenous Eye Care
In a significant step towards closing the gap in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye care in NSW, Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital (SSEH) has announced the establishment of the District’s first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Clinic.
The current Bicentennial Clinic will be renamed and repurposed to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. Intended as a hub for outreach, the renamed clinic will provide in-person services as well as virtual care capabilities for eye patients in remote communities.
The new clinic will not only reflect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language, but also feature a culturally safe respite area for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, creating a welcoming and safe environment.
Announced during NAIDOC Week, the initiative is a huge step in overcoming barriers to eye care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.
“Our vision to rename the Bicentennial Clinic is reflective of SSEH’s commitment to eye health services to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” said Jennie Barry, General Manager for SSEH.
Dr Andrew Chang, Head of Ophthalmology said, “The repurposed clinic will create a fully equipped culturally safe service and equal access to ophthalmic care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients across the state.”
A working party led by Dr Pauline Rumma and Dr Andrew Chang along with Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer, Aunty Linda Boney and Director of Aboriginal Health, Skye Parsons will engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities for a new suggested name to create a culturally welcoming and safe clinic for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye patients.
“Aboriginal people are three times more likely to suffer from visual impairment than non-Aboriginal Australians with Aboriginal people four times more likely to have diabetic eye disease and twelve times more likely to have a blinding cataract,” said Dr Chang. “Known barriers to accessing services include complexity of patient journeys and a lack of coordination between services.”
Over $200,000 raised by Sydney Eye Hospital Foundation at a recent event will be invested into much needed technology and equipment to be used in the new clinic and in regional and remote NSW outreach eye clinics.
