OPHTHALMOLOGY services are now being offered at Redland Hospital as the state government moves to reduce waiting times across Metro South Health.
The new service allows locals to receive treatment closer to home and avoid travelling to Princess Alexandra Hospital for specialist eye care appointments.
Elective surgery, as well as orthoptic and optometry services, are being offered at Redland Hospital and Wynnum Manly Community Health Centre under the new arrangement.
Redlands MP Kim Richards said the service would benefit thousands, with more than 2875 outpatient appointments and 1150 surgeries to be delivered on the bayside each year.
"We know how important it is to get these vital services for our community closer to home," she said.
"The ability to deliver these crucial, expanded services closer to where people live in their own communities is vital ... "
Health Minister Steven Miles said expanding services into the Redlands and Wynnum would help meet future demand.
"Metro South Health is home to more than 1.1 million Queenslanders, or around 23 per cent of the state's population," he said.
"With the number of residents expected to grow by almost two million people over the next 25 years, the community will need more specialist services such as ophthalmology."
Existing Metro South medical and nursing theatre staff are providing the local services.
Redland Hospital surgical services nursing director Frances Hishon said staff had received comments about how much people appreciated having their operation close to home.
"Saving a long drive to and from another hospital really makes a huge difference to our patients," she said.
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