In this episode of Health Yarn, host Jodii Geddes is joined by Carleen Miller and Natalie Tieri from the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. They play key roles in improving Indigenous community access to ear and eye care services.
The episode focuses on the importance of culturally safe services. The Eye and Ear Hospital is dedicated to offering health pathways that are respectful and responsive to Indigenous patients. Carleen and Natalie also yarn about the role of the Aboriginal Health Liaison team, who provide crucial support to patients before and during their hospital stay, including help with housing, transport, and discharge planning. They share how to contact this team and where to find them in the hospital.
Listen to the full episode below or via the 3knd soundcloud.
Episode 14:
Carleen, Natalie, and Jodii also have a yarn about the common conditions that often lead to referrals, such as chronic ear infections and vision impairments, and discuss the range of specialised services that the Eye and Ear Hospital provides to the community. They delve into how patients can access these services, including the referral process, waiting times, and what to expect during visits. The conversation also offers crucial advice on when it’s necessary to visit the emergency department, particularly if a condition escalates or becomes severe, ensuring patients receive timely and appropriate care.
For those seeking eye and ear health services outside the hospital, the episode covers routine screenings available to the community, such as school-based vision checks and adult hearing tests, crucial for early detection and prevention.
It also highlights outreach clinics run in partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS), including a fortnightly eye clinic and a monthly healthy ears clinic. These clinics, serving both adults and children, are vital links between the community and the hospital’s specialised services.
