Vision Centre

Bush beckons our flying doc
The Gold Coast Bulletin, 4 May 2002
By Joanne Gibbons

ROGER Welch is the Gold Coast's own flying doctor. The Southport ophthalmologist is doing his bit to improve medical services in the bush. Once a month the dedicated doc charters a plane to provide free eye services for rural communities. Dr Welch covers all his own expenses and charges no fees for his services, which can cover anything from sight checks to minor operations. Noticing that services were not up to scratch in the rural areas, Dr Welch took matters into his own hands.

He combined his love of helping people with a love of flying and now he's having trouble keeping up with demand. "We treat a lot of people when we are out there," he said. "I would probably see about 50 patients a visit. "They have all sorts of eye problems that could be related to diabetes, particularly among the elderly. They don't have access to ophthalmology services out there so I provide some sort of service for them." Dr Welch said ophthalmology had a long history of community service and that was part of the reason he devoted Isis time. "It is part of the dedication of eye specialists to provide a service to the bush. I don't do it for the money." Dr Welch said he was concerned about the effect the medical insurance crisis could have on rural services.

It was already difficult recruiting doctors to the bush and the situation was becoming increasingly dire. Obstetrics was the biggest problem, he said. "I think we will soon see a situation where women will no longer be able to have babies is their local town. "I think Gold Coasters really feel a connection with the bush because it is not that long ago we were just a small country town. "I really feel that connection and I like going out there, doing something rewarding," he said.