Arrival of an additional visiting ophthalmologist to Geraldton

25/10/95

The arrival of an additional visiting ophthalmologist to Geraldton will help address one of the most pressing gaps in the region's health care services, Health Minister Graham Kierath said today.

Mr Kierath said Dr Robert Patrick would operate from St John of God Hospital in Geraldton and would complement the visiting service already provided by Dr Dagmar Barnes.

"This new service recognises a major health need in the Mid-West where there is currently an 18-month waiting list for patients to see a visiting eye specialist," the Minister said.

"Up until now, many patients have sought treatment in Perth despite the added cost, inconvenience and distance to travel."

Mr Kierath said St John of God had upgraded its eye surgery equipment to enable it to specialise more fully in meeting the needs of both private and, in agreement with the WA Health Authority, public patients in the Mid-West region.

"Eye procedures for 50 public patients will be provided through St John of God in this financial year," he said.

"Last year an estimated 160 eye procedures were provided for Geraldton and Mid-West residents in Perth and it can only be assumed this was because most of these cases could not be provided for in the region through lack of specialist services.

"For every procedure carried out in Perth, the patient would have been required to make additional trips to the metropolitan area both before and after the surgery.

"The cost to individuals, the community and the Health Department through the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme is extensive.

"The Health Department has already pledged to provide more specialist medical services to country areas through savings made by changes to PATS. This is an example of that pledge in operation."

Dr Patrick has spent the last four years in the United States and the United Kingdom.

"The methodologies for treating eyes in these countries has changed significantly and Dr Patrick will bring those skills to the Mid-West," Mr Kierath said.

"I believe that between the next 12 to 18 months the unacceptably high waiting list in the region will be drastically reduced."

Patients wishing to visit the two visiting ophthalmologists will need a referral from their local doctor or optometrist.

Media contact: Caroline Lacy  481 2133 or 222 9595