Indigenous Australians' Health Programme - Eye and Ear Surgical Support

Overview

Funding for the continuation of the Eye and Ear Surgical Support (EESS) initiative has been approved for a further four years from 2020-21 to 2023-24. This Grant Opportunity aims to reduce the instances of avoidable blindness and deafness in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations through expediting access to eye and/or ear surgery. The objectives of the EESS are to: facilitate timely access to culturally appropriate, affordable eye and ear hospital procedures at the nearest available location to the patient’s home; strengthen patient pathways and support, including liaison between health clinics, specialists and hospitals; and prioritise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients living in rural and remote Australia.  The outcome of the grant opportunity is to improve eye and ear health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients who receive surgery.