Ophthalmology – Statewide Ophthalmology Service
Chair: Peter McCluskey, Deputy Chair: Michael Braham
Eye Health is vital for everyone in our community. The Greater Metropolitan Services Implementation Group (GMSIG) made recommendations to ensure the population of NSW had excellent access to cataract and simple ophthalmology services, consultative services at major teaching hospitals and equitable access to complex eye surgery when necessary.
Achievements
GMSIG recommended the establishment of the NSW Statewide Ophthalmology Service (SOS) which was achieved by November 2003. Subcommittees and working groups formed are focussing their work on eye health promotion and the quality and safety of care.
Public Hospital Cataract Subgroup
The most common cause of ophthalmic admission to public hospitals is Cataract Surgery. This group addresses the need to provide timely, accessible cataract surgery in public hospitals. A draft Cataract Plan and funding proposal was submitted to the Minister and Department of Health in April 2005. The plan was supported in principle, however additional funding was not made available in the 2005/06 State budget.
In 2005, the NSW Health Sustainable Access Taskforce started addressing long waits for surgery including Cataract Surgery through its Surgical Services Taskforce. As outlined in the SOS Cataract Plan, the Taskforce has considered solutions for both the backlog of cataract surgery and future demand. The SOS is working with the ophthalmic community and Area Health Services to improve access to cataract surgery at Area level.
The Provision of Hospital Services Subgroup
This group considers a broad range of eye specific problems outside of cataract surgery related to the subspecialties of endocrinology, neurology, trauma, and plastic surgery. The group will focus on service delivery issues across the continuum of care, including eye emergencies. An Eye Emergency Manual has been developed & is being trialed at six sites. A small subgroup is considering issues surrounding medical retina, in particular diabetic retinopathy.
The Nurse Standing Committee
Eye education is a focus for nurses – both ophthalmic and general. The group works collaboratively with other subcommittees to facilitate nurse education needs in such areas as paediatric vision screening and eye emergencies.
The Orthoptist Standing Committee
This group is considering the role of the orthoptist in the public sector, including their role in vision screening and rehabilitation. A multidisciplinary group of ophthalmic clinicians is working with NSW Health to encourage vision screening in preschool aged children including updating the Personal Health Record.
The Rural Standing Committee
An audit of ophthalmic resources available in rural settings has been undertaken by this committee. Isolation from peers, lack of locum services and workload are considered priority rural issues. A Rural Discussion Paper identifying the issues and canvassing options for solutions has been written and is being circulated for comment.
Information Management
A Minimum Data Set for Outpatient Clinics and a database to enable the audit of outcomes from cataract surgery are under development.
Jan Steen, Executive Director, Tel: (02) 9887 5705 jsteen@nsccahs.health.nsw.gov.au
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