A partnership between Royal Flying Doctor Service Victoria and optometrists from OneSight has facilitated a new Mobile Eye Care service for people living in Victoria’s East Gippsland region.
RFDS Victoria Chief Executive Scott Chapman said the Flying Doctors are committed to taking health care to areas in Victoria where there is limited access to health services.
“Under the program, an optometrist and dispenser from OneSight will travel to the Gelantipy Bush Nursing Centre twice a year to provide a range of optometry services for people who cannot easily access eye care services because of their regional location or their age, which can lead to an inability to drive,” said Mr. Chapman.
He said the first Mobile Eye Care service clinic offered in Gelantipy during February had booked out. “A second clinic will be held from 20–22 June 2016 for people in the Gippsland area and there will be a wait list for the service if needed,” he added.
OPSM Director of Eyecare and Community Robyn Weinberg said “OneSight is proud to be partnering with the RFDS to provide eye care and eyewear to people living in Gelantipy and remote communities in the East Gippsland region”.
“OPSM, through our charity OneSight, has a proud history of providing optometry services for over 25 years. Optometrists from local Victorian OPSM branches volunteer their time to provide this much needed service and we continue to work towards eradicating the vision care crisis in Australia and worldwide,” said Ms. Weinberg.
The Gelantipy Mobile Eye Care clinic is open to anyone who holds a Medicare card. Glasses are provided free of charge to people who have a concession care card and those who do not have a concession care card are ableto purchase the glasses for AU$30 each.
Donations can be made to the Royal Flying Doctor Service Victoria at www.flyingdoctor.org.au
