Hand Unit
How we can help you (What we do)
The Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital Hand Unit cares for patients with hand and wrist conditions.
Where are we located?
The Hand Unit is on the second floor of the main building.
The three areas of The Hand Unit are:
• In-patient ward
• The Hand Clinic
• The Hand Therapy Department.
Medical Staff are available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.
Sydney, NSW, 2001
Visiting hours:
10am to 8pm
Hand Clinic: +61 2 9382 7201
Hand Ward: +61 2 9382 7198
Hand Therapy: +61 2 9382 7201
Hand Surgery: +61 2 9382 7201
-33.8684884, 151.2124807
Any person with a hand, wrist or forearm injury or condition.
Our team includes:
- hand doctors
- hand nurses
- hand therapists
- social workers
- clerical staff
Our team will help you:
• learn about your hand surgery/condition
• help you to look after your hand after your injury
• give you information about your hand injury
• give support to you or family/carer
We work with:
- your local family doctor
- local hand therapy clinics
- local community nurse
We all work together to help with your care and recovery.
The Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital Hand Unit provides:
- surgery
- medical reviews
- hand clinic education
- hand therapy education
Sydney and Sydney Hospital Outpatient Department
How can we help you? (what we do)
The Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital Outpatient Department is a group of clinics providing outpatient appointments to patients requiring Ophthalmology (eye), Neurology, Tuberculosis or Allergy treatment.
Who we care for?
We accept public and private patient referrals from all consultant ophthalmologists, specialists, general practitioners, optometrists and from other hospitals within New South Wales.
Who are we?
Services are provided by Specialists and Ophthalmologists (eye doctors) or specialists in training (registrars and fellows). They are supported by nursing staff and allied health professionals including orthoptists, pharmacists and social workers. Administration staff will help you make appointments, and will assist you with any questions you may have.
Our Partners
General Practitioners, Optometrists, Ophthalmologists, NSW Public Hospitals, Sydney Eye Hospital Ophthalmology Services.
Please remind your referring doctor or optometrist to download our referral template by way of referring you. Click on the 'Information for Referrers' link below.
Sydney, NSW, 2001
For Eye Outpatients (02) 9382 7046
For General Outpatients (02) 9382 7350
Referral required from either an Ophthalmologist, Optometrist or General Practitioner.
Hours of opening:
Outpatient Department: 8am - 5pm Monday - Friday
Closed weekends and Public holidays
-33.8684884, 151.2124807
The Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital Outpatient Department is a group of outpatient clinics incorporating;
Sydney Eye Hospital Outpatient Department, encompassing the following sub-specialties:
- General ophthalmology
- Cataract (IOL)
- Cornea
- Ocular-oncology
- Neuro-ophthalmology
- Glaucoma
- Oculo-plastics
- Uveitis
- Squint and paediatrics
- Vitreo-retinal
- Medical-retinal
- Orthoptics
- Acute Ophthalmology Service – by internal referral from the SSEH Emergency Department only:
Kogarah Eye Clinic located at 7 Chapel Street, Kogarah - offers appointments ONLY to those patients who reside in the St George area and only runs clinics in the sub-specialties of:
- General ophthalmology
- Cataract (IOL)
- Cornea
- Oculo-plastics
- Squint and paediatrics
- Orthoptics
- General Outpatients Department (with ENT, Gastroenterology, Neurology and Allergy services)
Sydney Eye Hospital Referral Guidelines
There is new state-wide referral criteria for selected conditions within the specialty of Ophthalmology. Visit the NSW Health website to learn more about what these changes mean for you.
To download the Sydney Eye Hospital Referral Guidelines, please click here.
General Information for Referrers
Sydney Eye Hospital Outpatient Department accepts referrals from Ophthalmologists, Optometrists and General Practitioners for patients within NSW requiring eye assessment and/or treatment.
All referrals are assessed by Ophthalmologists, or Ophthalmology Registrars in the first instance. The Registrar or Consultant will then prioritise patients depending on their clinical urgency, as either ‘urgent’ or ‘non-urgent’ against ophthalmologist approved guidelines.
Patients who do not require urgent assessment may be placed on our waitlist for assessment. Patients who are deemed most urgent are given appointments at the discretion of the reviewing medical officer.
Sydney Eye Hospital Outpatient department offers appointments in the sub-specialties of:
- Cataract (IOL)
- Cornea
- Ocular-oncology
- Neuro-ophthalmology
- Glaucoma
- Oculo-plastics
- Uveitis
- Squint
- Vitreo-retinal
- Medical-retina
Kogarah Eye Clinic - offers appointments ONLY to those patients who reside in the St George area and runs clinics only in the sub-specialites of:
- Cataract (IOL)
- Cornea
- Oculo-plastics
- Squint and paediatrics
- Orthoptics
Referrers, please note that we do not perform:
- Diabetic eye checks (unless active disease has been found by an Optometrist or Ophthalmologist which requires close assessment and/or treatment)
- General eye checks (all general eye checks should first be performed by an optometrists. If any sign of eye disease is found, Optometrists are then welcome to refer patients on to Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital for further assessment and/or treatment)
Referring patients who wish to move from private care into the public system:
Patients who are currently under the care of a treating Ophthalmologist, who wish to transfer their care into the public hospital system must be referred with a letter from the treating Ophthalmologist, with specific information about their diagnosis, investigations undertaken (with results attached if possible), treatment and planned follow up (if any).
For glaucoma, this MUST include the following before the patient can be considered for an appointment:
- The most recent Humphrey visual field scans for both eyes
- The most recent ocular coherence tomography (OCT) scan for both eyes
- The most recent intraocular pressure (IOP) reading
- A recent report or copy of correspondence from the treating private Ophthalmologist
For medical retina (macular degeneration/diabetic macular oedema) patients, this MUST include the following before the patient can be considered for an appointment:
- The most recent ocular coherence tomography (OCT) scan for both eyes
- A recent report or copy of correspondence from the treating private Ophthalmologist
If your patient lives close to one of the hospitals below or is already a patient at one of these hospitals, you should consider sending a referral there for a faster and more convenient service.
| Westmead Hospital Eye Clinic | Fax: 8890 6117 |
| Liverpool Hospital Eye Clinic | Fax: 8738 4585 (requires specialist referral) |
| Bankstown Hospital Eye Clinic | Fax: 9722 8398 |
| Concord Hospital Eye Clinic | Fax: 9767 6743 |
| RPA Hospital Eye Clinic | Fax: 9515 7520 |
| Prince of Wales Hospital Eye Clinic | Fax: 9382 2281 |
| Royal North Shore Hospital Eye Clinic | Fax: 9463 1065 |
| Sydney Children's Hospital Eye Clinic | Fax: 9382 1461 |
| Westmead Kids' Hospital Eye Clinic | Fax: 9845 3949 |
Referral templates for download
Click here for the Cataract referral template.
Download Catquest here.
Click here for the general eye referral template. Please do not use this for Medical Retina or Glaucoma referrals.
Click here for the Medical Retina referral template.
Click here for the Glaucoma referral template.
In partnership with the NSW Ministry of Health we are trialling a NSW statewide cataract referral form. You can download the referral guidelines and form here.
For frequently asked questions, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions page.
The Kogarah Eye Clinic is located at 7 Chapel Street, Kogarah, adjacent to the St. George Hospital.
All Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital Outpatient clinics are located across two locations within the Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital campus.
Some clinics are located on Ground Level of the Clinical Services Building, Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital. Enter via the main hospital foyer, immediately turn left.
Other clinics are located in the Bicentennial Eye Clinic, Ground floor of the North Block, within the grounds of the Sydney Eye Hospital.
Please see map below.
Where to park?
There is on-site underground parking available with 'Metro Pty Ltd' car park (entrance from Hospital Road). Please note that this car park is privately owned and operated and therefore fees will be incurred. **add NSW Health parking site link**
There is also a limited number of metered parking spaces available on Hospital Road. There is a small amount of free street parking near the hospital but times are limited.
There is also a 5 minute patient drop-off bay at the rear of the hospital, accessible via Hospital Road.
Public Transport
Info line: For information about connections, destinations and timetables for government buses, trains and ferries in and around Sydney, telephone 13 15 00. OR check the NSW Transport Trip planner website http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/tripplanner/index.html
Train: Martin Place station is directly opposite the hospital and St James station is at the end of Macquarie Street.
Bus: Bus No. 200 stops directly opposite the hospital in Macquarie Street.
Ferries: Circular Quay ferry terminal is 10 minutes’ walk from the hospital.
Clinic Times
Clinics operate Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays, between 8am and 5pm.
There is a period of scheduled downtime each year, over the Christmas and New Year’s break. The Emergency Department continues to operate during this period.
Payments
All services are bulk-billed for patients who hold a valid Medicare card. Non-eligible patients will be charged a consultation fee and a fee for all ordered tests/scans on top of this consultation fee. Administration staff will advise you of this fee amount and payment on the day of your appointment. For more information about fees please contact the Administration Services manager through switchboard on 02 9382 7111.
Related Services
Where is my closest public hospital eye clinic?
Did you know that NSW Public Hospitals may give priority appointments to those patients who live in their catchment area? Please see the list below of hospitals that operate an Eye Outpatient Clinic.
If you live close to one of the hospitals below, you may consider sending a referral there for a faster and more convenient service.
- Westmead Hospital Eye Clinic Fax 9845 6117
- Liverpool Hospital Eye Clinic Fax 8738 4585 (requires specialist referral)
- Bankstown Hospital Eye Clinic Fax 9722 8570
- Concord Hospital Eye Clinic Fax 9767 6743
- RPA Hospital Eye Clinic Fax 9515 7520
- Prince of Wales Hospital Eye Clinic Fax 9382 2281
- St Vincent’s Hospital Eye Clinic Fax 8382 3111
- Royal North Shore Hospital Eye Clinic Fax 9463 1065
Support Services
Support Services at Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital are dedicated and professional teams comprised of several departments:
- Administrative Staff
- Engineering Services
- Hotel Services
- Security
The Support Services at this hospital are committed to promoting the highest standard of support to the hospital. It is characterised by a sense of teamwork and an environment renowned for being responsive.
Sydney, NSW, 2001
-33.8684884, 151.2124807
The main role of the Administrative Staff is to support clinical departments with answering and directing phone calls, handling inquiries, booking appointments, registering and admitting patients into the Hospital electronic patient administration systems and supports the day-to-day running of the department.
The Engineering Services at Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital provides a comprehensive technical support service for medical equipment, medical gases and essential services for the Hospital.
The support includes provision of accessories and replacement of supplies as well as repair or replacement of faulty equipment and general building maintenance.
Hotel Services oversees cleaning, waste and patient porter services at Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital. Hotel Services conducts a quality controlled cleaning service that is electronically audited internally, and also participate in external cleaning audits to ensure we maintain quality and safety for patients, visitors and staff, and meet ACHS Accreditation requirements across the campus.
Hotel Services strive to maintain the highest quality service for the hospital through continuous training, applying innovative technology and conducting quality audits. With the feedback from our patients, visitors and staff we ensure a clean, safe and environmentally sustainable service.
The primary role of the Security Department is the Protecting of People and Property and to ensure a safe and secure environment for the benefit of patients, staff and visitors.
Security Officers patrol the hospital campus at all times. Other security measures in place across the campus include security lighting, CCTV cameras and emergency communications, intruder alarms, and personal duress alarms and fixed duress alarms for staff working in he patient care areas. If you see or sense something suspicious, please contact security personnel for assistance.
Our Security Department may be contacted on (02) 93827090 with any concerns or queries.
The Security Department is located outside of the Emergency Department.
This service is provided by uniformed licensed security officers.
General Medicine - 2 East
How we can help you (what we do)
The Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital General Medical Ward (2 East) provides 24 hour inpatient services.
2 East is located on Level 2 of the Clinical Services Building.
Who we care for
The General Medical Ward provides care for patients who are transferred from the Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital Emergency Department, or transferred from Prince of Wales Hospial.
Sydney, NSW, 2001
02 9382-7268 - alternate number
The ward is open 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Visiting hours: 10am - 8pm daily
-33.8684884, 151.2124807
The General Medical Ward comprises of:
- Dedicated Specialists including Respiratory, Cardiologists, Endocrinologists, Gastroenterologists, Rheumatologists and Neurologists
- Drug and Alcohol consultants and Geriatricians are available on Wednesdays
- Psychiatric specialists are available on Tuesdays and Fridays
- Registrars and residents who are available to speak with you in the unit to address any concerns you may have
- Nurse Unit Manager who is responsible for the management of the unit is available Monday to Friday during business hours
- Registered Nurses, Enrolled Nurses and Assistants in Nursing are dedicated to provide excellent quality patient care every day. They are supported in this by a full time in hours Clinical Nurse Educator and After Hours Clinical Nurse Educator. A General Medical Clinical Nurse Consultant provides advice on patient management
- A physiotherapist is on duty on 2 East Monday - Friday 0800-1600 and on call weekends and public holidays 0800-1600.
- Administration staff who will assist you with the admission process and answer any questions you may have about Medicare and private health insurance.
- Ancillary staff that assist with transferring of patients from emergency department to and from other department.
We work collaboratively with a variety of SESLHD specialty units including Drug and Alcohol, Eyes and Hands, Psychiatric service and Allied health. All our work is in partnership with your local doctors, hospitals and community organisations.
We routinely partner with our patients, families or carers. Should any concerns arise where patients, families or carers believe that the care provided has not sufficiently addressed the patient’s condition they may call a dedicated REACH program and escalate concerns initiating a care response.
The General Medical Ward is open 24hours seven days a week. We have a 4 Bed Close Observation Unit where patients are monitored closely for deterioration. We provide services for Medical patients, orthopaedic post-surgical procedure from POWH, Drugs and Alcohol, Surgical Hands and Eyes patients who requiring cardiac monitoring or medical intervention. If assessed as needing in hospital care our patients are admitted following presentation to SSEH emergency department or are transferred to us from POWH and doctors rooms.
On the admission to the ward, nursing staff will provide a welcome package and explain our service to you and your family. The Multidisciplinary team are available to assist with the discharge planning starting from the day you are admitted to the hospital. The physio therapists will assess your mobility and the social worker may assist with social support depending on your needs.
We are open 24 hours; our vising hours from 10:00hrs (10am) to 20:00hrs (8pm) daily
How long will I stay in the hospital?
This depends on your progress, the medical team will update you every day.
| Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital | (02 0382 7111 |
| 2 East Ward phone number | (02) 9382 7267 or (02) 9382 7218 |
| General Medicine Clinical Nurse Consultant | (02) 9382 7576 |
Professional interpreters are available and are free of charge if you require assistance in understanding the procedure. While a family member or relative may be with you, all treatment including the consent should be through a professional interpreter. If you require an interpreter to contact us, please call the Translating Interpreter service on 13 14 50.
We are a teaching hospital and you may be asked to be involved in research or for a student to be present on your treatment journey in Sydney/Sydney Eye Hospital. You have the right to say no. If you do so this will not impact in any way on the services we provide. We align our practices with the Clinical Excellence Commission and Evidence Based Practice.
The General Medical Ward (2 East) is located on level two of the Clinical Services Building, Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital.
Enter via the main hospital foyer, take the lift to level two and turn left as you exit the lift then turn left. Please check in with the clerical staff on arrival.
On-site parking is available through METRO parking. The entrance is off hospital road. For additional information about parking please contact either the Nurse Unit Manager or nursing staff in the General Medical Unit. There is also metered parking along hospital road. For short periods of time of 5-15 min, escorts are allowed to park in the turning circle on hospital grounds while collecting patients.
Information line: For information about connections, destinations and timetables for government buses, trains and ferries in and around Sydney call 13 15 00 or check the NSW Transport Trip planner website http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/tripplanner/index.html
Train: Martin Place station is directly opposite the hospital and St James station is at the end of Macquarie Street.
Bus: Bus No. 200 stops directly opposite the hospital in Macquarie Street.
Ferries: Circular Quay ferry terminal is 10 minutes’ walk from the hospital.
Ophthalmology
Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital is a Centre of Excellence, providing world-class specialised eye services.
Sydney Eye Hospital Outpatient Department is a referral centre for general and specialist ophthalmic services for both adults and children. These services are provided by specialist ophthalmic doctors and nurses.
For the Eye Outpatient Department information, click this link.
Patients may be referred to this department by other ophthalmologists, optometrists, doctors and specialists from other hospitals.
Services provided by the department are:
- Cataract
- Ocular plastic
- Glaucoma
- Vitreo retinal
- Medical retina
- Neuro ophthalmology
- Squint
- Cornea
If you are having elective surgery, information can be found by clicking this link.
Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital Emergency Department provides emergency services to the general public for eye trauma and is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You may also be referred to the emergency department by another ophthalmologist or doctor for such conditions sudden loss of vision, corneal ulcers and retinal detachment.
For any eye emergenciees requiring urgent treatment, please go to the Emergency Department page by clicking this link.
Sydney, NSW, 2001
-33.8684884, 151.2124807
- You will first see a clerk to complete paperwork. Please make sure your contact details are correct
- You will then see a nurse who will check your eyesight and assess what further tests you may need
- You may see either an orthoptist, or a doctor, depending on what you need
- Consultant - a senior doctor who has specialised in Ophthalmology
- Fellow - a doctor who is undertaking specialist training within a specific field within Ophthalmology. some examples include Uveititis, Retina, Glaucoma, Cornea and Ocularplastics
- Registrar - a doctor who is undertaking general training in Ophthalmology
Glaucoma is a disease that damages the connection between the eye and brain (optic nerve). In most cases there is slow loss of peripheral (outside) vision, but blindness can occur if the condition is ignored or not properly treated. . Sometimes glaucoma may be more aggressive, requiring urgent treatment. All currently available glaucoma treatments, including eye drops, laser, and surgery, work by reducing the pressure of the eye. This halts or slows the rate of glaucoma, but cannot reverse damage that has already occurred.
Glaucoma surgery is used to reduce the pressure of your eye, but it does not improve your vision. Sometimes your vision will seem more blurry for some weeks after the surgery. In most cases this improves with time or needs a change in your glasses prescription. It is also very common for your eye to feel irritable or scratchy for a while.
Glaucoma surgery is always performed by a fully qualified doctor.
Please discuss with your surgeon if you are on medication to thin your blood, as this may need to be stopped before surgery. On the day of surgery you should continue to take your usual eye pressure lowering treatment. You will be directed by your surgeon on whether to continue or to stop your usual glaucoma treatment after the surgery. New eye drops are prescribed after the surgery to reduce the risk of infection and inflammation (swelling).
Initially you may be asked to take one of these drops every 1-2 hours whilst awake. Drops may be required for a number of months after surgery, but at a reduced frequency.
Glaucoma surgery is prioritised by your treating consultant and depends on the severity of your case.
The Neuro-ophthalmology clinic looks after vision and eye movement problems that come from the brain rather than the eyes.This includes diseases of the optic nerve, changes in the pupils, and damage to brain structures like the visual cortex.
Common conditions seen by neuro-ophthalmologists are diseases affecting the optic nerves such as idiopathic intracranial hypertension, ischaemic optic neuropathy and optic neuritis; as well as damage to other structures of the brain from stroke, trauma, or tumours.
When you come to the neuro-ophthalmology clinic please bring:
- your referal
- your glasses
- a list of your current medications
- any MRI or CT scans you have had
- copies of any blood tests your referring doctor has ordered
Information sheets for eye medicines
Eye Conditions
Retinal detachment information
Instruction Sheets
How to instil eye drops and ointment - pictorial
Eye removal information leaflet
Cataract Surgery Information Sheets
Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Service
How we can help you
We acknowledge that Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital is situated on land traditionally owned by the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. We pay our respects to Aboriginal elders past, present and emerging.
We welcome all patients, their families, carers and friends to our hospital from all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities around Australia.
We ask all patients if they identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. If you answer yes, and would like to see our Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer, we will contact them and let them know that you are here.
Coming to hospital can be a worrying time, and you may feel upset or lonely. The Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer can come and have a yarn with you about this, and offer you support.
The Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer is able to:
- give you information about your rights and responsibilities
- talk to the staff in the hospital for you
- give you information about hospital services
- find other services who can help you (Aboriginal health services, legal, housing, family support)
- help you get financial assistance if you need it (eg: pensions, benefits, IPTAAS (Isolated Patient’s Travel and Accommodation Scheme)
- help you with finding accommodation if you are travelling to Sydney from the country
- help you to fill in forms, for example: housing application
- organise nursing care when you leave hospital, if you need it
- organise for you to get help at home if you need it. This includes help with housework, shopping, meals on wheels or any equipment you might need
- the COVID-19 vaccination
Please click here to read the brochure for more information.
If you think you may have COVID-19 and feel unwell please come to the hospital to get tested, or you can also take a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) at home.
You can find more information on the Aboriginal Health Unit website Please click here to go to the website.
Sydney, NSW, 2001
To contact the Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer, call the the switchboard on 9382 7111 and ask them to help you. You can also ask the Nurse or Social Worker looking after you to help you with this.