Page 2293 - Week 06 - Thursday, 6 June 2019

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Health—ophthalmology services
(Question No 2349)

Mrs Dunne asked the Minister for Health and Wellbeing, upon notice, on 22 March 2019:

(1) What specialist ophthalmic services are available directly from Canberra Health Services for the (a) treatment and (b) management, of glaucoma for ACT-resident public patients.

(2) What specific categories of glaucoma are Canberra Health Services able to (a) treat and (b) manage, for ACT-resident public patients.

(3) What specific categories of glaucoma are Canberra Health Services unable to (a) treat or (b) manage, for ACT-resident public patients and (c) why.

(4) What specific categories of glaucoma are ACT-resident private specialist practitioners unable to (a) treat, or (b) manage, for ACT-resident public patients under the ACT public health system and (c) why.

(5) In what circumstances would Canberra Health Services refer an ACT-resident public patient suffering glaucoma to a private specialist, practising in the ACT, to (a) treat and (b) manage, the patient’s condition under the ACT public health system.

(6) What formal or informal arrangements does Canberra Health Services have with private specialists in the ACT to treat and manage ACT-resident public patients suffering glaucoma; if none, why.

(7) In what circumstances would Canberra Health Services refer an ACT-resident public patient suffering glaucoma to the Sydney Eye Hospital for (a) treatment and (b) management, of the patient’s condition in the public health system.

(8) What formal arrangements does Canberra Health Services have with the Sydney Eye Hospital to treat and manage ACT-resident public patients suffering glaucoma; if none, why.

(9) Before referring an ACT-resident public patient to the Sydney Eye Hospital, what (a) consideration is given and (b) enquiries are made, of ACT-resident private specialists as to their capacity to take on the patient under the ACT public health system; if none, why.

Ms Fitzharris: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:

(1) (a) Glaucoma is a common condition normally treated on a community basis. The current model of care provided by the Eye Clinic at Canberra Health Services (CHS) is in line with the Royal Australia and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) Principles for Collaborative Care of Glaucoma Patients and the Referral Pathway for Glaucoma Management. Glaucoma is a chronic condition that is managed in the community with occasional referrals to an acute service for management of acute or tertiary issues.


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