QVI newletter February 2010

QVI Inc Activities

Representatives of Queensland Vision Initiative Inc (QVI) have been busy over the last two months working to complete the federally-funded Regional Referral Pathway Project; and seeking funding for a state-wide campaign to promote regular eye tests, vision care and knowledge of low vision services - similar to campaigns run in Victoria and Tasmania in 2009. In addition, QVI President Ms Kady Brandon and committee member Mr Greg Johnson met with state government representatives to discuss funding for QVI, to develop a comprehensive eye health promotion model for Queensland for the future.

Regional Referral Pathway Project
Working Group: Kady Brandon, Greg Johnson, Bashir Ebrahim, Karen Knight, Patricia Stillman, Graeme Ferguson, Anne Housego, Jan Maclean, Beverley Roberts, Russell Cooper, Geoffrey Fitzpatrick, Annette Alchin, Simon Kelly, Brett Whitehill, George Fotinos and Dr Gilda Kert

As part of the Department of Health and Ageing National Eye Health Initiative demonstration grant into referral practices in regional, rural and remote Queensland, 276 surveys have been collected regarding current eye health services.
These represent participation in the study by:
• 9 ophthamologists,
• 83 optometrists,
• 110 GPs,
• 22 nurses,
• 13 low vision service providers,
• 26 aged care/community organisation representatives,
• 3 allied healthcare managers/coordinators

In December and February post-survey questionnaires were distributed to study participants - to assess the usefulness of resources developed, so far 75 questionnaires have been received.
 
A final report on the project results is being compiled for 31 March 2010, which will assess issues and recommendations for improvement of eye health services and referral practices in Queensland for the future.

Future Funding

As QVI funding from the Federal Government is coming to an end, QVI is applying for support to develop and implement a new eye health awareness campaign for Queensland. Previous campaigns in Victoria and Tasmania in 2009 boosted the National Eye Health Campaign in these states.

QVI also hope to secure future funding to maintain the QVI website: www.qvi.org.au 
This site provides a centralised source of vision-related information and advice for healthcare professionals and the public alike: including details of eye health services, information and advice for those with eye conditions, and news and events for Queensland. QVI is also seeking funding to promote eye health awareness through community events. 

QVI Inc Member and Friend Activities

GLAUCOMA AUSTRALIA

World Glaucoma Week
Glaucoma is a worldwide epidemiological challenge affecting approximately four percent of the global population with an estimated 50 percent of glaucoma cases remaining undiagnosed.  Research shows that in 2010, an estimated 60.5 million people globally will be living with either angle closure glaucoma or primary open angle glaucoma.  World Glaucoma Day offers an opportunity to educate patients with glaucoma and those at risk for the disease by raising awareness and providing helpful tips about the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. World Glaucoma Week will be held from 7 - 13 March 2010.

National Glaucoma Week
National Glaucoma Week seeks to raise awareness of the ‘silent’ eye condition – glaucoma.  It is a major cause of sight loss in Australia.  About 3 percent of Australians over age 40 have glaucoma (approx. 300,000) but, because there are generally no warning signs, only about half of them have been diagnosed.   The week will encourage all Australians, once they reach the age of 40, to undertake a comprehensive eye check every two years and not to take their sight for granted. National Glaucoma week will be held on 15 – 21 August 2010.
For further information about events in your neighbourhood, please contact Beverley Lindsell on 1800 500 880, www.glaucoma.org.au or
glaucoma@glaucoma.org.au

GUIDE DOGS QUEENSLAND

Low vision clinics
GDQ will hold Low Vision Clinics across the State throughout 2010. Low Vision Clinics work to bring resources to the community in an informal and educational format. If you would like more information, please contact GDQ Client Services on 07 3500 9060.

Guide Dogs Queensland 50th Anniversary 2010
The official launch of Guide Dogs Queensland’s 50th Anniversary was held 19 February 2010 at the Bald Hills Breeding and Training Centre. The first major fundraising appeal for 2010 is the Pawknock Appeal – 21 February to 6 March. It’s not too late to register for Pawknock! Create your very own Everyday Hero profile and email friends and family asking for donations. Please call Freecall 1 800 007 460 or email pawknock@guidedogsqld.com.au and help raise funds for Guide Dog puppies.

International Guide Dog Day
International Guide Dog Day will be held on 28 April 2010. The aim of the day is to bring awareness for the rights of Queensland’s blind and vision impaired community.

GDQ Rose Launch
With the support of Brindabella Roses in Toowoomba, the ‘Brindabella Leading GOLD TM’ rose has been cultivated for GDQ’s 50th Anniversary. The GDQ rose launch will take place on 3 May 2010.

Guide Dogs Queensland 50th Birthday Open Day and Concert – SAVE THE DATE! Sunday 4 July 10am to 3pm
Come and join in the fun at GDQ’s biggest Open Day ever. Celebrate GDQ’s 50th birthday with a huge outdoor Birthday Concert. Meet Guide Dogs, puppies and their canine friends and discover the exciting world before orientation and mobility. Parking onsite, please leave pets at home. Latest updates: www.guidedogsqld.com.au
For further information on all events please visit guidedogsqld.com.au or call 1800 810 122

OPTOMETRISTS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA (QLD & NT)

Ibbotson to speak at North Queensland Vision
Associate Professor Michael Ibbotson, Head of the Visual Sciences Department and the Eccles Institute of Neuroscience at ANU, and Associate Director ARC Centre of Excellence in Vision Science, will present at North Queensland Vision (NQV) in Cairns, 11-13 June. His subject will be 'Developing a bionic
eye in Australia'. Professor Ibbotson's team has developed a device that can be implanted in human and animal eyes from which electrodes can transmit electric signals to the optic nerve and on to the brain. Click
http://neuroscience.anu.edu.au/EIN_CIs/MichaelIbbotson.html to learn more about Professor Ibbotson and http://bionicvision.org.au/latest-news to find out about the bionic eye.

Queensland/NT Division committed to cardiopulmonary resuscitation training
In light of the Optometry Board of Australia's decision to propose that cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training be compulsory under the new national registration arrangements, Optometrists Association has decided to engage St John Ambulance to deliver that training at the annual Queensland Vision congress and the new North Queensland Vision meeting. Discussions are continuing with St John for the provision of training outside those events.
The proposed national registration standards will be finalised at the end of March. For more information about the CPR training agreement, email marika@optomsqld.com

OAA Employment Expo
Ophthalmologists and other QVI Inc members with an interest in employing graduate optometrists in 2010 are invited to register for a free exhibition table at the Tuesday, 18 May 2010 "OAA Employment Expo" at Brisbane Marriott. It is an opportunity to talk to final year QUT School of Optometry students and students from other Australian schools about employment and your practice. Go to www.optomsqld.com to register your interest.
 
North Queensland Vision 2010
A second major educational meeting will be convened by the OAA in 2010, North Queensland Vision at the Shangri-La Hotel in Cairns. From 11-13 June 2010 (Queen's Birthday long weekend) 9 hours of continuing education will be provided as well as a variety of networking events including reef trips, tropical tours and dinners. Interested in presenting a paper or two? Email marika@optomsqld.com
 
Don't throw out those old spectacles!
The OAA collects old spectacles, sunglasses, cases, equipment etc for transport to Tanzania for use in outreach services. You can send to Optometry House, 58 St Pauls Terrace, Spring Hill Qld 4000. 

QUEENSLAND NARRATING SERVICE

 
Queensland Narrating Service (QNS) is a not-for-profit organisation that provides printed material in an audio format for people who have severe vision loss or blindness. This includes a wide range of unabridged recreational reading material (which can be accessed through the public library system) and a wide range of printed material - including government department documents and brochures, vocational material and educational texts, minutes of meetings and newsletters from various community and blindness agencies - in audio format. QNS is also involved in various community projects focused on reading.

QNS needs you!
If you enjoy reading out loud or you know someone who enjoys reading out loud? Would you like to assist Queensland Narrating Service by making more printed materials available to people who are blind or have low vision?
You could volunteer to narrate texts for the Queensland Narrating Service using QNS equipment in your own home. If you are interested please contact Jo at QNS on 3895 8555 or email: qns@qns.net.au

VIP Bookclub
The next VIP Book Club will be held on Tuesday 29 June 2010 from 9am - 12pm. Speaker to be confirmed. For more information please contact Alison on 07 3895 8555 or email qns@qns.net.au

The Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities 2010 Annual Conference
23-25 May 2010
Heritage Auckland, Auckland New Zealand
Theme: Think Globally, Act Locally!

What are we achieving in the global context which impacts on the lives of people with print disabilities locally?
How can we learn from local successes to improve information access globally?

Be part of Round Table 2010
• Sponsor part of the conference - email the Conference Convenor at mclunie@rnzfb.org.nz for more information
• Be part of the Trade Exhibit  - email the Conference Convenor at mclunie@rnzfb.org.nz for more information
• Attend conference as a delegate - join the Round Table mailing list or keep an eye on the conference blog for more information as it becomes available.

For more information please visit:
www.e-bility.com.au/roundtable
 

ROYAL AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OF GENERAL PRACTITIONERS

53rd Gold Coast Clinical Update: Postcards from General Practice
1 - 2 May 2010 | Sea World Resort, Main Beach, Gold Coast
The RACGP Queensland Faculty invites you to the 53rd Gold Coast Clinical Update for a mix of work and play.  Don't miss out on this opportunity to earn Category 1 and 2 points before the end of the triennium!  The family friendly location offers a great range of activities for you and your family to take part in for a well deserved break!
 
Session topics include Urology, Sexual Health, CPR, Diabetes, Preventive Medicine, Paediatric Orthopaedics and more!  An Active Learning Module, MMed(GP) Primary Eye Care Workshop presented by the University of Queensland is also available for 40 Category 1 Points. 
For more information on this event, contact Georgina Scriha, Marketing & Events Coordinator, RACGP on 07 3456 8941 or email georgina.scriha@racgp.org.au

VISION AUSTRALIA

Vision Australia New Building
Vision Australia is moving to a new building in Coorparoo in 2010. This new state of the art Coorparoo Centre is an important milestone for Queensland, and will provide critical services for people who are blind or have low vision. The photograph below gives a view of the external walls and roof. The final few pieces of the roof will be laid in the next few weeks.
 

Image of the New Vision Australia Building at Coorparoo

CONTACT INFORMATION

As always, if you have any questions regarding the work of QVI, please do not hesitate to contact Jane Fleming on 07 3391 9155 or jane.fleming@visionaustralia.org

2010 Dates for Your Diary

21 February – 6 March: Guide Dogs Queensland Pawknock Appeal. Please call Freecall 1 800 007 460 or email pawknock@guidedogsqld.com.au

7-13 March: World Glaucoma Week. For more information visit: www.glaucoma.org.au

8-12 March: Orthoptic Awareness Week.

11-14 March: Australian Pharmacy Professionals Conference, Gold Coast. For further information visit: www.appconference.com

9-11 April: The Queensland Vision 2010 annual conference will be held at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre. For more information please email marika@optomsqld.com

28 April: International Guide Dog Day.

28-30 April: 8th National Deaf Blind Conference Melbourne.
For further information visit: http://www.ableaustralia.org.au/deafblind-conference-2010.asp

1-2 May: RACGP 53rd Gold Coast Clinical Update: Postcards from General Practice, Sea World Resort, Main Beach, Gold Coast. For more information contact: georgina.scriha@racgp.org.au

3 May: Guide Dogs Queensland Rose Launch. For more information please visit www.guidedogsqld.com.au

3-6 May: International Federation on Ageing 10th Global Conference, Melbourne Convention Centre. For more information visit conference website

18 May: OAA Employment Expo, Brisbane Marriott. For more information contact: marika@optomsqld.com

23-25 May: The Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities 2010 Annual Conference. For more information please visit:
www.e-bility.com.au/roundtable

23-29 May: MD awareness week.

27 May: A Diabetes and Optometry Seminar/Dinner will be held at the Casa De Meze Restaurant, Cairns. For more information please email marika@optomsqld.com

5-9 June: XXXII World Ophthalmology Congress, Berlin. For more information please visit: www.woc2010.org

11-13 June: The North Queensland Vision conference will be held at the Shangri-La Hotel, Cairns. For more information please email marika@optomsqld.com 

20-26 June: Deaf Blind Awareness week.

July: JulEye

4 July: Guide Dogs Queensland 50th Birthday Open Day and Concert. Latest updates: www.guidedogsqld.com.au 

1-4 July: Ophthalmology conference: Fusion 2010, a unique combined conference of the AUSCRS and APACRS. For more information visit the conference website: www.fusion2010.org.au .

12-18 July: National Diabetes Week.

14-22 August: Seniors Week Queensland.

15-21 August: National Glaucoma week. For more information visit: www.glaucoma.org.au

8 October: World Sight Day.

28-30 October: Pharmacy Assistants Conference, Holiday Inn Gold Coast. For more information visit: www.pharmacyassistants.com.au   

14 November: World Diabetes Day,

21-23 November: 4th ANZ Falls Prevention Society Conference.
For more information visit: www.otago.ac.nz     

24-26 November: The 4th Australasian Orientation and Mobility Conference will be hosted by Guide Dogs NSW/ACT at the Women’s College, University of Sydney. Full details of the conference will be available at www.guidedogs.com.au/amc2010