Our clinical services continued to grow through our clinics in Nedlands, Murdoch and Midland, with 68,043 consultations occurring throughout 2023, a five per cent uplift on 2022 levels.
Masterplan being developed to remodel our Nedlands theatre complex
At our Nedlands clinic, we are working tirelessly behind the scenes on a masterplan to redevelop our theatre complex. Recent licensing and regulatory changes require modifications to some of the spaces in the theatre complex.
Architects Hames Sharley were engaged during 2023 to develop concept designs that explore opportunities to:
Expand our theatre complex at the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre (QEIIMC)
Remodel and modernise adjacent outpatient internal spaces
Achieve an optimised patient flow
Consultation is occurring with the Western Australian Department of Health, internally within the Lions Eye Institute and with end users of the space. The aim is to develop a refreshed masterplan for all spaces and provide capacity for growth into the future.
Director of Nursing, Quality, Safety, Risk and Infection Control – Johanna Du Plooy, CEO – Dr Glen Power and Philip Parker from Hames Sharley Architects (L-R) review plans to remodel our Nedlands theatre complex
Midland continues to be an area that needs better access to eye health services
Our private clinic in Midland that was completed in 2022 provides much needed eye health access to people living in the eastern metropolitan corridor. We also continue to advocate to government for a new Midland public eye clinic as part of our vision to achieve better vision for all.
The burden of eye health risk factors and the clinical demand of the region form compelling elements of the overall case for a new model of service for the benefit of public patients.
Lions Optics
Our Lions Optics facility at Nedlands was renovated in the second half of 2023, using the same colour palette that we adopted for the Midland clinic. Additional diagnostic equipment was also added. These changes will help facilitate a better customer experience and an increased role in the training curriculum of The University of Western Australia’s Doctor of Optometry program.
Engaging with patients and volunteers
In 2023, we were able to reinvigorate our volunteer program, following a pause during the COVID-19 years. Our volunteers provide a valuable concierge service to our patients at the Nedlands clinic. “Some people can understandably be quite nervous before their appointment,” said Ross, one of our volunteers. “As a volunteer, one of my jobs is to sit with patients before their appointment and have a chat, offer a hot drink and just be a friendly ear,” he said. Another important job for our volunteers is to call for a taxi or family member to pick patients up and help them outside once their lift has arrived.
We also continued to engage with our Consumer Community Advisory Panel on a regular basis throughout 2023 to consult them on areas of meaningful improvement for patients, including patient brochures and the QEIIMC day surgery development plans of the Lions Eye Institute.
