Expansion of surgery at Waitakere Hospital

Waitemata and Auckland DHBs are delivering specialist eye and dental care closer to home, with the launch of a greater range of surgeries at Waitakere Hospital.

It is the first time day surgeries of this type have been offered at Waitakere Hospital, and it will ease the travel burden for around 320 eligible patients per year who currently travel to Greenlane Clinical Centre for treatment. 

The procedures are provided by Auckland DHB’s regional oral and ophthalmology services, and include dental surgery for children such as tooth extractions normally done under general anaesthetic and ocular plastics (operations involving the eye lids, socket or eye ball).

The new arrangements will help to meet the demands of West Auckland’s fast-growing population, particularly in the area of ophthalmology. 

“We are making the most of our resources to deliver specialist care within the community we serve. Treating people closer to home, where possible, makes a difference and we will continue to find ways of expanding on our clinical services at Waitakere Hospital in the future,” says Waitemata DHB CEO Dr Dale Bramley.

Ophthalmology Outpatient Services operated by Auckland DHB were launched at Waitakere Hospital in 2014. Clinics provide treatment for glaucoma, AMD (age-related macular degeneration) and diabetic and medical retinal screening as well as post-operative cataract care. 

In August 2018, the service saw 1,002 patients - 114 more patients than it did in August 2017. Additional clinics will be introduced in coming months.

“The clinics provide an essential service in West Auckland for patients and their whānau, particularly older people who are unable to drive due to the nature of eye conditions. Reducing the barriers that would prevent them from being able to comfortably and conveniently attend an appointment is very important to us – and together with Auckland DHB we will continue to find ways of doing this,” says Dr Bramley.

Ocular plastics theatre sessions at Waitakere started on 24 August and oral surgery began on 1 October.