Victoria Parade Surgery Centre (VPSC) hit a major milestone last month, with August marking its 15th anniversary.

Due to the COVID-19 lockdown VPSC has been unable to officially celebrate but plans to hold a VIP lunch when restrictions are once again lifted.

CEO and Director of Nursing Sharryn McKinley said when the celebration can go ahead, the Medical Advisory Committee and original owners will be invited to mark the occasion with current staff.

“We want to make sure the occasion is special and fully acknowledges what a significant achievement this is,” she said.

VPSC prides itself on excellence and providing the best possible surgical care and outcomes for patients.

When it first opened 15 years ago it had just three theatres. In 2013 it became part of the Cura Day Hospitals Group and due to continuing growth, it now has five theatres and is helping around 800 people each month.

Ms McKinley said what attracts people to VPSC is its warm and welcoming environment.

“We employ nurses and staff who genuinely care about our patients, their experience and quality of care,” she added.

VPSC is dedicated to ophthalmic care, with the majority of its procedures falling in this category.

“This is one of the biggest areas of healthcare because we have an ageing population,” Ms McKinley said.

“We feel so privileged that we can change lives by helping people who have limited sight, or who are going blind,” she added.

Cura Day Hospitals Group Operations Manager for South and West Regions, Tim Puyk, has been with VPSC since its inception – in fact, he was employee number one.

Mr Puyk isn’t the only staff member who has been there since the beginning, he’s 1 of 12 original staff members actively working at VPSC.

“It’s the relationships I’ve built over the years and the many many great people who work at the centre that have kept me here,”

Mr Puyk said.

Over the years Mr Puyk said the biggest change he’s seen has been with technology.

“Keeping up with technology is important and over time cataract surgery and intra- ocular lens technology has definitely improved,” he said.

“We always remain innovative, and were actually the first in the country to get an image guidance system for Toric lens use (SMI System ) now Verion,” he added.

Mr Puyk also remembers the first ever cataract procedure performed at VPSC.

“Dr Mark Troski performed our fist cataract list on the 28th August 2006.”

The whole team looks forward to setting a new date to celebrate, when COVID-19 restrictions ease in Victoria.