Digital vision system links WDHS to eye specialists
20 April 2007
An innovative project linking hospitals throughout south west Victoria to eye specialists at the Royal Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne has begun at Western District Health Service.
WDHS and the Health Services at Colac, Warrnambool and Portland have purchased Digital Vision Systems (Slit Lamp), which will link patients and the medical staff in the rural hospitals via videoconference to specialists in Melbourne.
The project had its origins at HBH, following Medical Unit Manager Betty Joosen’s proposal to seek solutions to dealing with patients presenting with eye injuries or complaints out of hours, and the need for many eye patients to travel for treatment.
She said that people attending the Accident and Emergency department out of hours, would now have the advantage of eye specialists, to assist the hospital’s Resident Medical Officers, Hamilton Medical Group doctors and nursing staff.
The Digital Slit Lamp purchased by the health services is leading technology in this field. The patient looks through the lens, which is beamed through videoconference technology to the specialist at the eye and ear hospital, who will provide advice to staff on site on the assessment, care and treatment for the patient.
Each Digital Slit Lamp is worth $19,000 and was funded at WDHS through donations. Roche construction provided $2000, and Hamilton resident Bob Henderson contributed the $17,000 required to purchase the equipment.
WDHS Chief Executive Officer Jim Fletcher said the Slit Lamp, and the partnership with the Royal Eye and Ear Hospital, offered Southern Grampians residents leading edge care and treatment in the case of eye injuries, as well as expert advice, support and consultancy for our staff.
Mr Fletcher said WDHS staff and Hamilton Medical Group doctors were undertaking training in the new technology, to enable them to access the specialist services online and provide treatment and care for their patients minimising the need for them travel beyond the region.
Mr Fletcher said that once again the generosity of organisations and individuals in our region, has helped WDHS to access the specialist services for its community and maintain its reputation as an innovator in the delivery of healthcare in rural Victoria.
ABOVE: RMO Mohamed Mosa demonstrates the digital slit eye lamp to donor Bob Henderson, while unit manager Betty Joosen and CEO Jim Fletcher look on.