The Eye and Ear is internationally recognised as a leader in clinical service delivery, teaching, training, and research. The Quality Account publication explores data relating to the patient experience and overall quality of care at the Eye and Ear.

Quality matters

Our progress at a glance

Graphic of staff hand hygiene percentage rates. 80% compliance was achieved between 2018 - 2019. 83.5% compliance was achieved between 2019 - 2020. 87.7% compliance was achieved between 2020 - 2021.
Percentages as at 30 June
Graphic depicting the total number of interpreter appointments for the past 3 years. There were 17,023 appointments in 2018 - 2019. There were 13,636 appointments in 2019-2020 and 9,911 appointments in 2020 - 2021
as at 30 June
Graphic of the vaccination percentage rate. 98% of staff have had their 1st dose of COVID 19 vaccine. 96% of staff fully vaccinated. 75% of staff have been vaccinated against flu..
As at 1 November 2021.
Helen Marquand, Infection Control Coordinator, smiling headshot
Helen Marquand, Infection Control Coordinator.

Managing Patient Safety in the changing COVID-19 Environment: Interview with Infection Control Coordinator Helen Marquand

Helen Marquand joined the Eye and Ear in April 2020 as the Infection Control Coordinator. Helen has been an integral part of ensuring our hospital follows the Department of Health (DH) guidelines and is as prepared as possible in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak. Helen shares more of how her role has evolved and adapted over the past year due to the impacts of COVID-19.

Quick facts table regarding quality through the years. Row 1, Staff Flu vaccination, 2019=85%, 2020=86% and 2021=71%. Row 2 Staff hand hygiene, 2019=80%, 2020=83.5% and 2021=97.7%. Row 3, incidences relating to blood and blood product wastage, each year= 0. Row 4, Total number of cases of staphylococcus aureus, 2019 and 2020 = 0 cases, 2021=1. Row 5, Total number of cases of clostridium difficile, each year= 0 cases. Row 6, Total number of post-operative eye and ear infections, 2019= reported differently, 2020=0 and 2021=7. Row 7, Total number of patients who fell over with no signification harm, 2019=23, 2020=28 and 2021=27. Row 8, total number of pressure injuries, 2019=3, 2020=2 and 2021=4. Row 9, total number of employees, 2019=not reported, 2020=930, 2021=934. Row 10, total number of full time employees, 2019 512, 2020=520 and 2021=536. Row 11, total number of volunteer hours, 2019=6000, 2020=7000, 2021=447. Row 12, total number of interpreter appointments, 2019=17,023, 2020=13,636 and 2021=9911. Row 13, total number of languages interpreted, 2019=79, 2020=84 and 2021=82. Row 14, total number of registered consumers, 2019=30, 2020=27 and 2021=25. End of table.

Maureen Plain, Manager Social Services, smiling headshot
Maureen Plain, Manager Social Services

Our response: support services during COVID-19

The Social Services Unit is an important part of the Eye and Ear that provides support to our patients. The unit has continued to deliver quality care to our patients via patient transport, interpreting, social work or family violence support.  In 2020 the hospital also appointed a dedicated Disability Liaison Officer to support patients who needed this assistance.