Eye and Ear earns Silver at 2009 Victorian Public Healthcare Awards

24 Sep 2009

The Eye and Ear’s innovative fast-track cataract service has won a Silver Award in the Improving Access-Providing Timely and Accessible Health Services category at the Victorian Public Healthcare Awards on Thursday 10 September 2009.

The Fast Track Cataract Clinic was established in 2007 at the Eye and Ear to respond to increasing demand from the public for cataract surgery.

CEO Ann Clark said she was delighted to accept the award on behalf of the Eye and Ear.

'It is important that the Eye and Ear strives continuously to find ways to meet the needs of the community as the demand for eye services grows', Ms Clark said.

The award recognises the fast-track clinic as a safe and effective course for patients requiring cataract care. Treatment in the fast track cataract clinic is streamlined and patient-focused, with patients now only requiring one visit to the Eye and Ear before having their surgery and a reduced number of post operative follow up appointments.

The clinic’s capacity has progressively grown in the past seven months, enabling more patients who require cataract care to be seen.

Surgical sessions were increased from four sessions to six and the number of patients booked per session was increased from six to eight.

As a result of the additional services provided, waiting times to a first appointment for cataract care have been reduced for patients by 49 percent.

Cataracts are one of the leading causes of vision impairment and blindness in Australia, along with age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease and refractive error. Treatment of cataracts depends on how severe the condition is. However with proper care, cataracts are preventable and treatable.

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