In a powerful example of what can be achieved through innovation, collaboration and patient-centred care, The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital’s School Holiday Surgical Blitz program is making it easier for families and paediatric patients to access surgical care.
Four-year-old Aboriginal twins Dianne and Audrey were referred to the Eye and Ear through our Healthy Ears outreach clinic at the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) after their mother, Brittany, became concerned about their hearing. Testing revealed both girls had glue ear, a condition caused by fluid in the middle ear that can affect hearing and is commonly treated with grommet surgery, where tubes are inserted into the children’s eardrums under anaesthetic.
For Brittany, organising surgery for both girls was challenging due to caring responsibilities for their older brother, who is in primary school, and the need to travel into Melbourne. The Surgical Blitz program, was designed to help ease the pressure on parents by aligning paediatric surgical sessions with school holiday periods, making it easier for families to access care at a time that reduces disruption to school and daily life
“I couldn’t bring the two girls in by myself for surgery, so having my son looked after so my partner and I could focus on the girls made a huge impact. My son will most likely need to come in for the same surgery so we would definitely book in during the holidays again.”
On the day of surgery, the family was supported by Carleen from the Eye and Ear’s Mirring Ba Wirring team, which provides cultural support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and helps coordinate our outreach clinics with VAHS.
“Carleen was very helpful. She sat with us before surgery and reassured us that the girls were safe,” Brittany remembers.
“There was also an anaesthetist that was lovely, he made us all laugh. It was a good distraction before the girls went in for surgery.”
When healthcare is designed around the needs of children and families, better outcomes follow. The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital’s School Holiday Surgical Blitz Program is improving access to timely surgery while reducing the impact of treatment on school, work and family life.
