G&M supports outreach work that puts accessible eyecare within reachOutreach work is an important characteristic of many independent optometry practices across Australia and is something George & Matilda Eyecare supports when negotiating with practices to join its network.Dr Jelle de Bock is among the Australian eyecare professionals willing to leave the comforts of their practice to serve far-flung communities, ensuring patients don’t have to travel far for their eyecare.This outreach is a vital feature of the Australian ophthalmic landscape, often described as the “tyranny of distance,” providing essential care for regional and remote patients to maintain their eye health and vision.Every eight weeks, de Bock packs his frames and testing equipment at Fleurieu Optometrists in Normanville, a G&M practice on the Fleurieu Peninsula south of Adelaide, and heads to Kangaroo Island, population about 5,000, with his wife Luanne, an optical dispenser.They spend the week seeing patients, being the only providers offering true continuity of care on the island, with a visiting ophthalmologist but no extensive diagnostics or surgeries performed locally.We now go eight weeks of the year to Kangaroo Island. We travel on Sunday, set up, test Monday through Friday, and return Friday night. We’re always fully booked,” de Bock explains.With therapeutic endorsement, he can prescribe all optometry-endorsed scheduled medications, providing comprehensive care for conditions like glaucoma, uveitis, foreign body removals, and others.He refers patients to specialists when needed but aims to treat as much as possible locally, which he finds most fulfilling about practicing regionally.Maintaining this service was crucial for de Bock when establishing Fleurieu Eye-Care in 2004, which became part of G&M five years ago.Similarly, many G&M optometrists provide outreach services in areas like King Island and Queenstown in Tasmania, and in outback New South Wales, with some practices visiting multiple communities regularly.After 15 years as a sole operator, de Bock and his wife sought relief from administrative burdens and found that joining G&M allowed them to focus on patient care while the network supported their outreach efforts.Optometrist Tim Powell, for example, travels from Tasmania to King Island, providing outreach care using G&M’s resources, including retinal cameras, phoropters, and OCT devices, which are transported for each trip.Support of a networkDe Bock’s passion for regional optometry began early in his career, working in various locations around Adelaide and later establishing Fleurieu Eye-Care near Kangaroo Island, recognizing the large catchment area and need for local services.His work in outreach was initially supported through locum work, which eventually led to establishing his own practice and joining G&M, which has supported his outreach work and growth.Ms Tanya Verrenkamp, G&M’s regional manager, highlights the “patient-first” approach of the network, supporting long days and providing upgraded systems and equipment to ensure high-quality care.Having the backing of a large network facilitates timely supplies, equipment upgrades, and business support, enabling de Bock to focus on patient care and community service.By land and sea in TassieIn Tasmania, practices under the Eyelines brand operate outreach clinics across small communities, often in leased spaces like hospitals, cycling through towns every few weeks.Practitioners take pride in their outreach work, which involves vision care, eye health assessments, and sometimes referrals for more complex cases, with some communities reachable only by boat or long drives.For example, the Burnie practice regularly services King Island and Queenstown, providing vital eye care to these remote communities, with some practices having dedicated clinics in nearby towns like Georgetown.More readingRegional profiles and industry updates related to G&M and optometry in Australia.
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