Toowoomba ophthamologist Andrew McAllister launches petition for Qld government to fund public eye surgeries

Dozens of Toowoomba residents are being forced to choose between driving to Brisbane and paying up to $6000 for complex surgeries, according to a leading doctor.

A leading Toowoomba doctor has called on the state government to offer publicly-funded acute eye surgery on the Darling Downs, saying dozens of patients who can’t afford treatment have to leave town to get it every year.

Ophthalmologist Dr Andrew McAllister says Toowoomba residents suffering from serious eye injuries like retinal detachments are being forced to choose between treatment in Brisbane and a private treatment costing potentially $6000 without insurance.

The head of the Toowoomba Retina and Eye Specialists clinic at St Andrew’s Hospital has launched a parliamentary petition calling for the state government to fund public admissions in the short term.

The petition, which is sponsored by Condamine MP Pat Weir, has so far attracted more than 400 signatures.

St Andrews Hospital Retinal Surgeon, Dr Andrew McAllister.

Dr McAllister, who is the only specialist of his kind in Toowoomba, said anyone with serious eye complications currently need to inconvenience themselves significantly by getting surgery done at Brisbane’s PA Hospital.

“If they can’t afford treatment they have to go to Brisbane right now (for) acute problems like retinal detachments, infections in the eyes, degeneration, complications with diabetes and artery blockages,” he said.

“We had a look at the numbers we did through St Andrew’s and it can cost $5000 to $6000 in surgical fees.

“The hospital sees Brisbane as a 90 minute drive, but it all takes time to do the process.

“They might not have surgery for days, because there’s no specialty ophthalmology surgeon that works full-time.

“A lot of people on the Darling Downs will just pay for treatment, because they don’t want to wait.”

Dr McAllister said he had asked Darling Downs Health to establish a public patient arrangement with his clinic, but was told there was no funding for the current level of demand.

“I came back and started my private practice in 2020 and I was having regular meetings with them about establishing a clinic, but they said they didn’t have the funding,” he said.

“We’re talking about 50-100 people a year, and save them the out-of-pocket costs.

“It will take pressure off the public hospital and will assist patients (if it can be done privately with subsidies).

“It upsets me when people say they can’t afford treatment.”

Concept art of the new Toowoomba Hospital at Baillie Henderson, which is slated for completion by the state government in 2027.

Dr McAllister said the new Toowoomba Hospital needed to contain an ophthalmology department when it was built, something Mr Weir supported.

“I’ve met Dr McAllister and he’s been attempting to get action on this for some time, and been left frustrated,” Mr Weir said.

“There is a new hospital being built, so there is a potential to go to the next level on a number of fronts.”

In response to the request, Darling Downs Health chief executive Annette Scott said local health delivery was dependent on demand, while also noting a wide range of medical fields would be considered as part of the new hospital.

Darling Downs Health chief executive Annette Scott talks to media the day after the budget announcement of the new Toowoomba Hospital, Wednesday, June 22, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“Any planning in relation to local health service delivery is approached in a measured, considered and responsive way,” she said.

“Planning is a continual process and, in addition, we also undertake a formalised annual planning process through our local area needs assessment approach, whereby we are openly inclusive of the input from all members of our community including our private medical stakeholders.

“For patients who are required to travel for services, the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme is available, and in emergencies, QAS is used.

“We’re constantly looking for new ways to innovate or improve, and while the final scope of services for the $1.3bn new Toowoomba Hospital is still being determined, we will work to ensure Queensland’s ophthalmology service is accessible for all.”