Case Study

Indigenous and Remote Eye Health Service (IRIS)

Delivering essential eye care and surgery directly to First Nations communities in remote and rural Australia.

October 6, 2023
May 19, 2023

A program delivered by Vanguard Health in collaboration with the Federal Government, the Indigenous and Remote Eye Health Service (IRIS) has completed over 2,400 cataract surgeries across 26 rural and remote locations since 2010.

The IRIS Program maximises local capability and our flexible approach ensures that we can address local constraints that may otherwise inhibit patient care delivery.

The IRIS program is delivered by a multidisciplinary specialist ophthalmology team including ophthalmologists, ophthalmology registrars, nurses, registered nurses, orthoptists and optometrists. This specialist IRIS Clinical Taskforce, coordinated and managed by Vanguard Health, visits First Nations and remote communities across Australia to provide world-class eye health services.

Our task force builds positive and appropriate relationships with local stakeholders, collaborates with local clinical teams and works to upskill existing staff to provide legacy value.

“IRIS is a model that makes it easy for ophthalmologists to participate in a community approved model of care. It’s amazing what can be achieved when you build consensus.”

Vanguard Health CEO, Tim Gallagher

Bring IRIS to your community

The IRIS Program provides services across remote Australian communities in Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales.

We are always looking for new IRIS service locations and would love to hear about local communities that might benefit from an IRIS team visit. Get in touch to discuss an IRIS Clinical team coming to your local community.

Learn more about IRIS

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