An eye to the future: St John of God Geraldton opens new standalone ophthalmology surgical theatre

St John of God Geraldton Hospital has unveiled a new surgical theatre and ward to deliver ophthalmology services and retinal surgery to Geraldton and the Mid West region.

The theatre, which opened on Tuesday, is a standalone, specialised operating room where ophthalmic surgeries are performed.

The newly designed theatre has $5 million state-of-the-art equipment, on par with most metropolitan hospitals, and a new waiting room and treatment and recovery area, which will provide patients with a smoother, more streamlined approach to health care.

Since 2005, St John of God Geraldton Hospital’s ophthalmologist C H. Khong has delivered care to more than 20,000 patients in the region, with the ophthalmology ward responsible for 40 per cent of the hospitals surgeries and discharges.

Dr Khong praised the new ward when reflecting on how far ophthalmology services in the Mid West had advanced.

“I still remember the day we arrived in Geraldton — it was a very different place back then. There was no resident ophthalmologist or retinal surgery available for local people, and the ophthalmology equipment at the hospital was limited and rudimentary,” he said.

“We have come a long way in 20 years. What began as a bare-bones service has grown into a standalone ophthalmology surgical theatre, delivering a more streamlined, higher-quality care journey which is an outstanding outcome for the community.”

St John of God Geraldton Hospital’s chief executive Phillip Balmer said the hospital hoped the new ward would lead to even better experiences for their patients.

“Our goal in opening the new ophthalmology theatre is to provide top notch healthcare in our own backyard which is better, faster to access and more convenient than going outside the region,” he said.

“We believe the new area will improve our service delivery and ensure patients can experience a more efficient, end to end care journey.”

City of Greater Geraldton mayor Jerry Clune praised the new theatre, and the team who worked to get the project finished, and stressed its importance, not only for patients but their families also.

“To see this new service that’s open, that’s available here to the community of not only Geraldton but the greater Mid West, I don’t think you can measure the stress that people have to go through to go down to Perth and have procedures done, not only on the patients, but on the family and the loved ones around them,” he said.

“Full marks to St John of God and to Phillip and to all the crew for, I can’t say, having a vision, but having the foresight to get things done and get this service here in Geraldton.

“It’s another good reason why you can still live in Geraldton and enjoy the facilities that some people in the metro areas take for granted, so thank you.”