A STATE-of-the-art machine has been secured to deliver modern cataract surgery to patients living in Longreach, Barcaldine, Blackall, and Winton.
The new technology bought by the Central West Hospital and Health Service will allow for a team of visiting ophthalmologists to perform the cataract procedure locally in a safe and timely way.
Brisbane ophthalmologist Bill Glasson headed to Longreach today, where he will undertake the first cataract procedures for the year using the new machine.
Dr Glasson, who has now been servicing the state’s central west for more than a quarter of a century, will be joined on this visit by fellow Brisbane ophthalmologist Dr Sunil Warrier. With two more outreach visits to the region planned for later in the year, Townsville ophthalmologist Dr Todd Goodwin will also be involved in delivering these vital services.
This first, week-long clinic will bring advanced ophthalmology services to close to 300 bush patients.
Dr Glasson and Dr Warrier will perform more than 50 cataract surgeries at Longreach Base Hospital and provide outpatient services to more than 200 patients.
Dr Glasson, who was born and bred in the bush, said he was honoured to be part of such an important rural healthcare initiative.
He praised the work of Central West Hospital and Health Service Director Dr David Rimmer and Longreach Base Hospital Director of Nursing Karen McLellan.
“Both David and Karen are deeply committed to overcoming the challenges of remote medicine and their efforts have secured this wonderful new machine, which makes our work as specialists so much more effective,” Dr Glasson said.
“Our partnership with the Central West Hospital and Health Service continues to grow stronger. It means patients this far west can access the latest in ophthalmological care without having to travel for it and that is very exciting,” he said.
