Gunda Pa is bringing vision support closer to home
Outpatient clinics at Wynnum Manly Community Health Centre, Gunda Pa, are making a real difference for Bayside residents.
By offering specialist eye care right in the heart of Wynnum, patients are avoiding long trips and receiving expert treatment closer to home.
Registered Nurse Laura Riches, part of the ophthalmology team, said making patients feel comfortable and informed was at the heart of their care.
Laura’s day includes vision testing, scans, preparing patients for treatment, and supporting doctors with procedures.
“Our eyes are precious,” she said. “I find fulfillment in providing hands-on patient care and having the time to really get to know a person,” she said. “We also offer emotional support and pride ourselves on creating a welcoming environment where patients feel comfortable to express concerns.
“As part of our clinic we assist with eye scans and dilations and I support the doctors with eye injections and help to prepare patients for surgery.
“Injections can be so scary for a lot of our clients so being very compassionate and gentle is key,” she said.
“I've been at Gundu Pa for nearly two years, and the incredible team is what keeps me coming back. The nurses, doctors, administration, environmental staff and pharmacists I have the honour of working with are exceptional.
“I'm especially inspired by the amazing team of doctors and nurses I get to work with daily, and who I get to call my friends."
Dr Iedema - from Bayside student to specialist
Staff Specialist Medicine Dr Joel Iedema first walked through Redland Hospital's doors in 2001 as a medical student and has since returned in many roles as an intern, registrar, and consultant.
His student placement more than two decades ago led to a lasting connection with the hospital and the Redlands community.
Dr Iedema, an endocrinologist and clinical pharmacologist with an interest in health economics, said he thought he would stay a few years and move on.
“I've stayed, in part, because it is a great place to work, but I also quickly realised the perception that there are more opportunities in large, tertiary hospitals is wrong.
“In many ways I've had far more opportunities to do interesting things by working at Bayside Health Service.
“Also, the Redlands is a great place to live and working closer to home is a strong, and underappreciated, contributor to job satisfaction," Dr Iedema said. “The staff are respectful and helpful and the patients are appreciative.”
Having held numerous leadership and advisory roles, including chairing the Queensland Health Medicines Advisory Committee and co-chairing the Metro South Health Medicines Management Committee, Dr Iedema is currently involved in the launch of a new Anticoagulation Stewardship Service at Metro South Health.
“It’s still early days, but it’s a chance to improve how we use anticoagulants and reduce harm, which could make a significant difference for our patients,” he said.
And his advice for junior doctors? "Stay open-minded. Don’t lock yourself in too early.
“Think about what kind of work excites you, but also where you want to live and who you want to work with,” he said.
“And remember to find interest in the everyday, because that’s where most of your career will be spent.”
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