We are here to support Australia’s first hospital
Sydney Eye Hospital is the only state-wide facility for eye diseases, with cataract surgery being the most common elective procedure in Australia, meaning treatment for those undergoing eye surgery is a key priority.
About the hospital
The hospital offers a full ophthalmology service in Glaucoma, Uveitis, Vitreoretinal, Medical Retina, Cornea, Strabismus, Oncology, Neuro-ophthalmology.
With increasing demand for our specialist hospital, the delivery of quality healthcare and the support provided by Sydney Eye Hospital Foundation is more important than ever. Our hospital is planning for:
- 10% population growth over the next ten years
- An ageing population with 30% growth in people aged over 70 years forecasted over the next ten years
- Increasing demand for services with 24% increase in hospital admissions
- Disadvantaged communities still representing a much higher proportion of potentially preventable hospital admissions
New strategies, enhancements to care and the ongoing COVID-19 response has seen Sydney’s oldest hospital campus rise to meet many challenges in recent years.
Healthcare priorities include improving equity and delivering accessible and evidenced based care that is digitally enabled and underpinned by research. Fundamental to this is the expertise and wellbeing of our people and the programs that support them.
History
Australia’s first hospital, now Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital, is a quaternary referral unit for eye diseases, providing surgical and medical management of vitro-retinal, corneal, glaucoma, oculoplastic, uveitis and oculo-oncology conditions.
Sydney Eye Hospital, established in 1878, as a ward known as the “eye beds” in the Rum Hospital, which was founded with the settlement of the New South Wales colony in 1788. The Rum Hospital was named Sydney Hospital in 1881 and was rebuilt on Macquarie Street in 1894.
Sydney Hospital is the birthplace of Australian nursing, having trained thousands of nurses in the ‘Nightingale’ system, introduced to Australia by Lucy Osburn in 1868. Lucy Osburn and five probationer nurses, all trained in the Nightingale School attached to Thomas’ Hospital in London. The Nightingale Wing, remaining the oldest building on the hospital’s Macquarie Street site.
The Eye Hospital operated off-site from 1882 until its return to Macquarie Street in 1996 when the hospital was duly renamed Sydney / Sydney Eye Hospital within South East Sydney Local Health District (NSW Government).
Australia’s First Hospital by Caroline Wilkinson
Australia’s first hospital has never closed its doors and is a landmark heritage site with a rich history. As a volunteer guide for over 25 years, Caroline has shared the hospital’s story with fascinated visitors, now compiled in Australia’s First Hospital.
The book captures the history and the passionate and dedicated stories of the people, including the birthplace of Australian nursing, to the tireless volunteers and Sydney Eye Hospital Foundation plus the famous Il Porcellino wild boar sculpture on Macquarie Street.
The soft cover picture book includes drawings by artist Simon Fieldhouse and all proceeds raise funds for Friends of Sydney Hospital (FOSH).
Buy online for delivery Australia wide or pick up from the Sydney Eye Hospital Foundation office – Centre Block, Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital, 8 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2001.
Meet the staff
Lesley McDowell
Outpatient Nursing Unit Manager
If you’ve been to the Outpatient Unit, you’ve probably met Lesley McDowell, our Nurse Unit Manager.
Lesley manages 18 nurses while running the busiest department in the hospital, offering over 70,000 appointments annually. It’s an extremely challenging job, but Lesley says she’s inspired by the people she works with.
“Between providing patient care and completing our quality improvement projects, in a very busy and stressful environment, we still manage to be a close-knit family – sharing laughter, tears and celebrating each other’s achievements.”
Lesley’s priority is to make sure her team feels supported, happy and safe at work.
“I’ve noticed when the team is happy, our patients are happier too.”
Joanna McCulloch
Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC) Ophthalmology
“Every dollar given makes a world of difference to an eye patient”
Our Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC) Ophthalmology, Joanna McCulloch, shares her insights and inspirations about working at Sydney Eye Hospital.
What do you do?
I’m responsible for five areas: education, clinical leadership, patient consultation, service planning and research, but for me, my whole focus is our patients, and providing them the best care.
What inspires you?
I have been nursing for thirty years and have worked in ophthalmology for over 20 years now and am still passionate about the specialty. I’m inspired by our patients, especially those who live life with complex eyes conditions and low vision. Learning from them, about them, allows me to provide better care for the next patient.
What are you most proud of?
Developing and delivering the Graduate Certificate in Ophthalmic Nursing in collaboration with the University of Notre Dame.
If you met someone who was thinking of donating to the Sydney Eye Hospital Foundation, what would you say to them?
Every dollar given makes a world of difference to an eye patient. That dollar may buy equipment or support research that provides eyesight and independence to eye patients or help train a nurse.
Learn More
About Us
Research & Technology
People & Programs
