A range of pressing eye health issues, including ophthalmology workforce shortages and increasing trachoma rates, have been explored at high-level political meetings between ministers and peak body, Vision 2020 Australia.
Representatives from Vision 2020 Australia met with Federal Health Minister, Mr Mark Butler, and Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians and indigenous health, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, in Canberra in December.
According to Vision 2020 Australia, discussions around eye health issues were positive, covering subjects such as the continued increase in cataract surgery wait lists and wait time, including any correlation of the effect of the pandemic and cancelled surgeries.
It comes following reports that the number of NSW patients waiting longer than clinically recommended for cataract surgery was at near record levels in the April to June 2022 quarter, with the Bureau of Health Information (BHI) also revealing which public eye hospital departments were struggling to recover from COVID-related surgery shutdowns.
Inconsistent and variable eye health data collection and reporting at the local health network and hospital level, and the need for collaborative care models to improve equity in access to eyecare services and address workforce shortages was also raised at the meeting.
A 2018 Department of Health ophthalmology workforce report, based on 2015 data, confirmed 84% work in big cities, meaning some 16% of ophthalmologists work in regional areas, which is insufficient for the 29% of the Australian population that lives regionally.
Following these meetings, Vision 2020 Australia is now finalising its submission to the ministers with sector priorities for the 2023-24 Budget.
While in Canberra, Vision 2020 Australia, its members, and parliamentarians gathered at Parliament House for an event to draw attention to the importance of services and accessibility for people who are blind or have low vision.
Parliamentary Friends Group for Eye Health and Vision Care co-chairs, Ms Meryl Swanson and Dr David Gillespie, and Vision 2020 Australia chair, Mr Christopher Pyne, hosted the event.
Special guest Ms Maggie Beer curated a three-course meal, and blind singing teacher Ms Julee-anne Bell performed for guests. Blind Citizens Australia president and Vision 2020 director, Ms Fiona Woods, gave an insight from someone with lived experience as to why it’s important to make events accessible.
More reading
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