Indigenous eye van has first patients in sight

A $5 million Queensland Health funded project aimed at treating and preventing avoidable blindness in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities has seen its first patients in Toowoomba today.

Health Minister Lawrence Springborg said the world-first project was funded as a tribute to Her Majesty the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, in a bid to end avoidable blindness by 2020.

“We promised at the election to revitalise frontline services and provide the best free public healthcare to all Queenslanders,” Mr Springborg said.

“The former Labor Government lost control of the health system, but it is turning around under the LNP as we deliver initiatives such as this eye van.

“It has just completed a 4,900 kilometre three-week roadshow visiting nine centres across Queensland.

“Today it is visiting the Carbal Medical Centre in Toowoomba, where the on-board specialists will treat their first patients.

“The 45-foot van is fully-equipped and will take specialist services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities not once, but ten times a year.

“Diabetes affects one in three adult Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Queensland and can have a debilitating impact on the sufferers’ vision. However, most blindness caused by diabetes can be prevented, which is why this project is so important.”

Mr Springborg said the project would provide education, equipment and specialist support to 27 Aboriginal Medical Services across the state.

“It will provide a comprehensive screening program to identify at-risk clients and screen for diabetic eye disease,” he said.

“All 27 centres are equipped with telehealth conferencing to allow consultations with specialists at Princess Alexandra Hospital and the van also features on board telehealth facilities.”

The project is being delivered by the Diamond Jubilee Trust in partnership with organisations including the Queensland Eye Institute, the Royal Flying Doctors and CheckUp.

[ENDS] 3 March 2014

Media Contact: Alexandra Foley 0419 794 294