Centre for Eye Health Investment Partnership

The allocation of resources, which will allow optometric professionals to work harmoniously for the benefit of people with or at risk of eye disease, was officially announced on Friday 9 March. It comes as a result of a partnership agreement between Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, the Centre for Eye Health and South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) for Prince of Wales Hospital.

As part of the agreement, SESLHD has also appointed consultant ophthalmologists to provide ongoing specialist services to the Centre for Eye Health, as required.

President of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, Mr. Barry Stephen said his Board was proud to be focusing efforts on avoiding preventable vision loss and involved in proactively helping people at the beginning of their battle with eye disease.

“Our hope is that by improving access to sophisticated ophthalmic equipment both at Prince of Wales Hospital and at the Centre for Eye Health, people will be in a better position to obtain timely and efficient treatment to avoid losing sight where possible,” Mr. Stephen said.

Terry Clout, Chief Executive for the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District said partnerships like these are very important. “Partnerships are what make things happen. Partnerships with the community, fundamentally for the provision of health service, provide services and equipment and facilities above and beyond that which government funding would be able to provide.”

He said under the leadership of Professor Minas Coroneo, Director of Eye Clinic, Prince of Wales Hospital, this partnership will help facilitate the timely management of patients who are diagnosed with conditions that require specialist medical attention.

“In addition to improving patient care, this equipment is also essential to teaching and will also enhance teaching of optometrists, medical students and registrars at Prince of Wales Hospital’s Eye Clinic,” he added.

Speaking at the launch, State Member for Coogee, Mr. Bruce Notley-Smith MP said the “partnership sets a high standard for future collaborations and I hope this will inspire other organisations to collaborate in this way.”

The Centre for Eye Health, which was launched in 2009, provides free advanced assessments for at-risk patients who are referred by optometrists and ophthalmologists. With over 10,000 referrals so far, the Centre has state-of-the-art technology, 20 consulting rooms and a team of almost 30 clinical and operational staff.