One of Australia’s largest corrective eye surgery providers SMS Healthcare has expanded into the Sydney CBD and the northern beaches, with new ophthalmology acquisitions in Darlinghurst and Brookvale.
The latest acquisition of Sydney Eye Clinic follows SMS Healthcare’s acquisition of Queensland-based LASERSIGHT Australia earlier this year.
SMS Healthcare managing director Mr Carl Adams said the new acquisition aligned growing demand for elective eye surgery procedures with the company’s commitment to bringing the latest eye surgery and collaborative care advances to local communities.
“With an ageing population and a backlog of elective eye surgery procedure demand following the pandemic, Sydney Eye Clinic’s track record and legacy together with our value-add will ensure a streamlining of the patient journey, while also supporting our diversified healthcare consolidation strategy,” he said.
Demand for eye surgery, currently a $1 billion industry, is forecast to increase over the next five years, with highest growth expected in cataract surgery, laser correction and other types of corrective eye surgery, SMS stated.
Sydney Eye Clinic founding partner Dr Ilan Sebban said finding the right partner to progress and maintain the clinic’s reputation was key to their decision to join SMS Healthcare.
“SMS Healthcare is a healthcare service leader, working closely with industry to onboard new and emerging technologies that achieve best possible patient outcomes. Through this new synergy we can expand the suitability of eye surgery to a larger group of people, while focusing on widening treatment applications,” Sebban said.
“Together we can support faster patient access to the latest technologies through established collaborations and a broader professional support network.”
SMS Healthcare’s local investment is part of a larger support strategy to alleviate poor patient access to overwhelmed local area health services.
“As we focus on integrating capability with a high level of patient satisfaction, together with our partners we’re in prime position to help increase patient access and provide suitable options to them,” Adams said.
Sydney Eye Clinic will continue to operate under its existing trade name with the support of the shared services team at SMS Healthcare.
SMS Healthcare’s eye surgery portfolio now sits at 16 combined eye assessment and laser eye day surgery clinics across Australia. Across its wider portfolio, SMS Healthcare holds co-investments alongside the medical professional founders of 21 day and short stay hospitals, allied health, as well as specialist medical practices spanning ophthalmology and laser eye surgery infrastructure across Queensland, NSW and Victoria.
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