"Corporatised Ophthalmology? There is an alternative..."
Introduction to ION
The Independent Ophthalmic Network (ION) was formed by like minded independent ophthalmologists, owners of ophthalmic day surgery centres and laser surgery facilities dedicated to maintaining the doctor patient relationship as the cornerstone of practice, and not dictated by the need to deliver shareholder returns or performance related criteria and incentive arrangements from third parties.
The idea behind the formation of ION is that it is seen as a counterweight to corporate ophthalmology with its differing set of philosophy and objectives, which is aggressively expanding.
ION provides a voice for independent ophthalmologists in relation to at least seven different groups.
- Government, both federal and state
- Public hospital and area health services
- Health funds
- Drug companies
- Media
- Referring practitioners
- Consumers i.e. our patients