A new partnership between Vision Australia and Lions Outback Vision hopes to overcome the challenges of delivering specialist blindness and low vision services to residents of Broome and areas of remote Western Australia.
Established in mid-2023, the partnership involves Vision Australia staff being embedded in the Lions Outback Vision Eye Hub in Broome, ensuring the region has consistent access to specialist services and providing a direct referral pathway for those who need additional support.
Ron Hooton, Vision Australia CEO, said the initiative is about meeting the different needs of communities outside of metropolitan centers.
“Historically we had provided services in Broome through a fly-in fly-out outreach model, but we found that wasn’t delivering the best outcomes.
Vision Australia estimates the number of people who are blind or have low vision will reach 560,000 by 2030, with incidences of blindness or low vision significantly higher in First Nations communities.
“Our presence in Broome is part of a wider commitment to remote and First Nations communities. Despite these communities having some of the highest need for services such as ours, it’s been challenging to meet that need in the past.
“It’s important we understand what the local community needs and how they want to access our services. By having an on-going presence in Broome, we’ve been able to build that connection and provide access to our services for people who are blind or have low vision require them.”
Renee Rich, Vision Australia vision rehabilitation consultant, said the new approach was already proving effective.
“Lions Outback Vision are an established and respected organisation in the region, which has definitely helped us connect with the community and people appreciate that I’m an on-going and accessible presence in the region,” Renee said.
“Vision Australia and Lions Outback Vision provide complimentary services, so we’re able to refer people to them and vice-versa to ensure people are getting the appropriate support. Already we’re seeing the benefit in being able to continuously work alongside clients and connect them with the full range of supports Vision Australia offers.”
Associate Professor Angus Turner, McCusker Director of Lions Outback Vision said the premise of the Kimberley Eye Health Hub was to bring interdisciplinary services to the region in a way that collaboration would add benefit to patient outcomes.
“Our model of service is to bring allied health, optometry and ophthalmology together to facilitate an integrated approach to eye health diagnosis, treatment and support”.