The Cura-operated Brisbane Day Surgery – Australia’s largest dedicated eye hospital – is proving to be an invaluable resource for ophthalmologists managing urgent cases in Queensland.
The facility has built a reputation for accommodating emergency and after-hours procedures, including on Saturday mornings, and delivering exceptional care.
This swift accommodation of urgent cases is particularly crucial for conditions like ocular injury and retinal detachments that require immediate sight-saving surgical intervention. And it is this that has made it a preferred choice for local ophthalmologists, including Dr Gurmit Uppal recently began practising in Brisbane’s city area and has already used the Day Surgery for two urgent cases.
It’s very comforting knowing that if I have a problem, I can call my coordinator; they’ll contact the hospital, they’ll get the slot ready
“Brisbane Day Surgery accommodated me with about a day’s notice,” said the cataract and vitreo-retinal surgeon from The Eye Health Centre in Brisbane. “One case was a pretty complex format that took a couple of hours, but they just slotted me in within regular working hours.”
Streamlined Coordination and Support
For practice manager Ted Cheng the seamless coordination between ophthalmology practices and the facility stands out as a key strength, securing theatre time and arranging the required medical devices with minimal delay.
Mr Cheng, who works with Dr Sean Cheng, a vitreoretinal surgeon at Queensland Eye and Retina Specialists, said the practical benefits of this accessibility often come to the fore towards the end of a week. “So many patients wait until Friday to decide they need to see an ophthalmologist about a retinal problem they’ve been experiencing all week, and by that time, if surgical intervention is needed, we need to act very quickly with a very little amount of time,” he observed.
The alternative for these patients would typically be to present at a public hospital, where “there are only so many beds and so many doctors”, Mr Cheng observed. “You rightfully have to give priority to the patients with life-threatening conditions who need immediate care, which means patients waiting for eye surgery can wait for days on end. With fasting required ahead of surgery, that becomes particularly complex for patients with conditions such as diabetes.”
Experienced Team and Comprehensive Equipment
As a dedicated eye hospital, Brisbane Day Surgery maintains specialised staff and is well stocked with equipment. Dr Uppal noted these attributes reduce the level of stress that can come with an emergency procedure. “It’s really nice to go in knowing that these guys have done this a thousand times before, and that they have more than all the equipment you’re going to need ready for you. I barely need to provide a list.”
Mr Cheng agreed. “The nurses and staff are specifically trained in ocular surgeries… So, when our surgeons operate, they know the team and they know the equipment – they’re familiar with the whole thing.
Dr Cheng added, “This familiar environment and support from experienced specialised nursing staff translates to higher patient safety and better outcomes”.
Comprehensive Patient Care
For patients, Dr Uppal said Brisbane Day Surgery’s approach to care goes beyond surgical capabilities. “… it always feels like my patients are being looked after, as opposed to being squeezed in for ‘a rush job’.
“It’s very comforting knowing that if I have a problem, I can call my coordinator; they’ll contact the hospital, they’ll get the slot ready,” Dr Uppal concluded. “The equipment’s ready and there’s a lot of backup support, not only in terms of recovery for the patient, but also when relatives arrive.”
Brisbane Day Surgery’s emergency and after-hours surgeries are available to ophthalmologists who have operating lists with the facility.
