3KND's interview with Rosie Dawkins, Natalie Tieri and Gavin Brown by 3KND Kool N Deadly published on 2020-01-13T22:28:46Z A new specialist eye clinic for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients has opened in Fitzroy as a partnership between The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital and the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS). This full service clinic is the first of its kind in a community controlled organisation in Australia. This is a significant and practical step forward in closing the gap for Aboriginal patients who need specialist eye health care. The Eye and Ear and VAHS have collaborated closely to provide a service that the patients want and a model of care that suits the patients’ needs. The clinic aims to address the existing and growing demand for specialist eye care among the community by providing service for both paediatric and adults patients in a culturally safe environment. Gwen Craigie, an Aboriginal Elder, was one of the first patients to be seen at the new eye clinic. For Gwen, eye problems have been a recurring issue for many years and after having her eyes assessed at VAHS, she was able to undergo cataract surgery at the Eye and Ear Hospital and attend her post surgery follow up sessions at VAHS. Being able to be assessed in a timely manner has meant Gwen has been able to again enjoy day to day activities. “The next day after my surgery, the nurse called to check up on me and asked me to check my vision. I’d always have to get my granddaughter to read what was on the screen as I could never see the TV guide, but when I turned the TV on, I couldn’t believe how clear it was”. “It is absolutely fabulous” said Gwen. “It was all worth it”.