What is RANZCO doing to ensure the safety of our members and the public?

RANZCO has written to the Chief Medical Officers of Australia and New Zealand and state CMOs in Australia requesting priority access to government stocks of masks. We understand that there is an acute shortage and ophthalmologists are potentially exposed due to proximity of faces during consultations. Please consider steps other than using a mask, some of which are explained in other FAQs on this site. While we have made approaches, we are not hopeful that this will result in a sudden release of masks.

RANZCO has written to State authorities in Australia seeking the extension of driver’s licenses for all requiring a vision test as a temporary measure.

In late March, to protect health care workers and patients, RANZCO issued a joint statement with other Colleges to stop non-urgent elective surgery. Joint media release: Colleges Call Out Government on Elective Surgery.

As the COVID-19 curve flattened and the government announced the re-commencement of elective surgery, RANZCO has released a statement to the media in support of this decision.