The Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service (SCHHS): new associate member of the WAEH
The Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service (SCHHS) is proud to be accepted as an associate member of the World Association of Eye Hospitals. This has been a long-term goal of our Ophthalmology department, and we are honoured to stand alongside such amazing international eye hospitals and ophthalmic departments.
Our eye department is located in the Southern region of the Australian state of Queensland and our health department services a region known as the Sunshine Coast (also known as Kabi Kabi by the indigenous traditional owners of the land). The Sunshine Coast is the fastest growing region in Australia and is currently the ninth largest city in Australia.
Our department has grown over the past few decades from a small one doctor service to now specialising in nearly all aspects of Ophthalmology. Our public health service consists of 10 Ophthalmic Consultants covering a wide range of services including cataract surgery, paediatric ophthalmology, general Ophthalmology, neuro ophthalmology, glaucoma services, medical retina, vitreoretinal surgery, ocular plastics and indigenous ophthalmic services.
Our team includes
- 10 Ophthalmology Consultants
- 2 Fifth year Ophthalmology Fellows
- 1 Training Ophthalmology Registrar
- 5 Junior Medical Officers or unaccredited registrars
- 6 Orthoptists
- 2 ophthalmic assistants
- 4 Clinical Nurse Consultants (including x3 nurse IVI injectors )
- 12 Nursing staff
- 1 Optometrist
- 1 Pharmacist
- and a bunch of amazing administration officers
Even with this small team we have been able to complete great achievements in research and training. In 2023/ 2024 our ophthalmology department will participate in international research as part of the real-world data collection to gain clinical insights into Faricimab (Voyager study). In 2018 we were also able to help advance nursing practice in Australia by establishing one of the first nurse intravitreal injection services in Australia.
Thanks again to the WAEH board, members, and staff for welcoming us to your outstanding ophthalmic community. All of the team on the Sunshine Coast are looking forward to working together with the WAEH and growing this amazing organisation.
