NSW Statewide Referral Criteria and eReferrals – What do optometrists need to know?
Hear from Luke Frijo (NSW Ministry of Health) who led the SRC development, as well as senior ophthalmologists who played a key role in the development of the adult and paediatric referral guidelines. This session will help optometrists better understand how and why the guidelines were developed and when to apply them.
Date: Wednesday 28th August 2024
Time: 7:00pm – 8.00pm
CPD: 1T
Program
7.00pm Introduction – Optometry NSW/ACT
7.05pm Development of the Statewide referral criteria and eReferrals – Luke Frijo, NSW Ministry of Health
7.10pm SRC for Adult referrals – Dr Jay Yohendran
7.30pm SRC for Paediatric referrals – Dr Michael Jones
7.45pm Referring patients with keratoconus – Prof Stephanie Watson
8.00pm Finish
Speakers
Luke Frijo is an experienced public healthcare management professional committed to improving the delivery of healthcare services. In his current role as Senior Project Officer – Outpatients, NSW Ministry of Health, Luke has been instrumental in the provision of outpatient policy advice, program management as well as leading the development and implementation of state-wide referral criteria for NSW public outpatient services. Luke’s clinical and educational background has played a crucial role in shaping his professional journey. In 2014, Luke pursued a Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise Physiology) at the University of Sydney which provided him with a solid foundation in understanding the importance of physical activity and its impact on overall health. Driven by a desire to make a broader impact within the healthcare system, Luke went on to complete a Master of Health Service Management at the University of Tasmania, honing his skills in effectively managing healthcare projects. With his knowledge, skills and dedication to improving health outcomes and experiences for patients, Luke continues to make a meaningful impact in the healthcare sector and inspire positive change within the industry.
Dr Jay Yohendran is an ophthalmologist who specialises in refractive cataract surgery. He is the Head of the Ophthalmology Department at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, a Clinical Lecturer at Sydney University, and he consults privately at Northern Sydney Cataract on the Lower North Shore (Northbridge). Jay graduated with Honours from the University of Sydney Medical School in 2001. Prior to this he completed a Bachelor of Medical Science degree at Sydney University, and later a Master of Public Health at the University of NSW. After completing ophthalmology training at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne, Jay returned to Sydney to complete his Fellowship in comprehensive ophthalmology at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. He has also completed a twelve-month Fellowship in Glaucoma at Sydney Eye Hospital. Jay has a special interest in optimising refractive outcomes with cataract surgery and has completed a Graduate Diploma in Refractive and Cataract Surgery at Sydney University. Jay is a member of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists, as well as the Australasian Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons.
Dr Michael Jones is an ophthalmologist specialising in paediatric ophthalmology, strabismus, cataract and general ophthalmology. He is currently the Head of the Department of Ophthalmology at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, a Senior Clinical Lecturer with the University of Sydney, and operates privately at Chatswood Private Hospital. Michael undertook sub-specialty fellowship training at the Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto (Toronto, Canada) where he received the Morin Award for most outstanding fellow. Subsequently, he undertook further subspecialty training in retinoblastoma with Brenda Gallie. Michael has a keen interest in teaching and research and completed his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at the University of Sydney in mitochondrial DNA and age-related maculopathy. Michael has published numerous peer-reviewed scientific papers, book chapters and regularly invited to present at scientific meetings nationally and internationally. Michael contributes to the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmology as secretary and treasurer of the strabismus society and to the Sydney Eye Hospital as secretary and treasurer of the Medical Staff council as well as on the scientific committee of the Alumni Association.
Professor Stephanie Watson, OAM FARVO, is a cataract and corneal surgeon in adults and children, with appointments at the Sydney Eye Hospital, Sydney Children’s and Prince of Wales Hospitals where she is a RANZCO trainer. She practices at Bondi Eye Doctors, Sydney, and is known for her ground-breaking research in corneal therapies. She leads the Corneal Research Group at University of Sydney and is Head of the Corneal Unit at the Sydney Eye Hospital. Stephanie contributes to the executive leadership team for the Sydney Nano Institute. She contributes to policy and advocacy in a variety of roles: Chair, Australian Vision Research; Past-Chair to the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology’s (ARVO) Advocacy and Outreach Committee; and Vice- Chair, RANZCO NSW Branch and Secretary to the Asia Pacific Ophthalmic Trauma Society. In 2022, Stephanie was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to ophthalmology. In 2019, she became a Fellow of the Academy of Asia-Pacific Professors of Ophthalmology (AAPPO). She was the only Australian to make the Power List of the Top 100 women in ophthalmology in 2021 and in 2022 and 2023 the only Australian woman on the Top 100 Power list for all ophthalmologists. She has received an Outstanding Service in Prevention of Blindness award from the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology, ARVO Gold Fellowship (FARVO), New Zealand’s Dorothy Potter Medal and an NSW Premier’s Prize for Leadership in Innovation.