Welcome to this podcast from the Medical Journal of Australia.

My name is Sally Block, the MJA’s news and online editor.

“The MJA acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which we live and work across Australia. This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. I pay my respects to their Elders past and present.”

Between 1968 and 1970, Australia was hit by a pandemic known as the Hong Kong Flu.

The MJA is publishing an historical piece about the pandemic and its impact.

Dr John Gerrard is the Infectious Diseases Physician at the Gold Coast University Hospital and former Chief Health Officer of Queensland.

Today we are exploring advances in glaucoma and age-related macular disease.

This podcast is sponsored by Macquarie University Hospital, part of Macquarie University Health – a trailblazer in healthcare, education and research.

Dr Helen Do is an ophthalmic surgeon with a specialising in medical retina and cataract surgery with a focus on diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration at Macquarie University hospital. She is a clinical lecturer at Macquarie University and Sydney University.

And Dr Aparna Raniga is a glaucoma and cataract specialist surgeon with a focus on diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration at Macquarie University Hospital.

A little over 10 years ago the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care released its first national clinical care standard.

A perspective on the subject is published in the MJA today and a webinar is being held tomorrow where the Commission will showcase the five stories of excellence discussed in today’s podcast. The link to the webinar will be is here

The Chief Medical Officer of the Commission Conjoint Professor Carolyn Hullick and its Clinical Care Standards Director Dr Alice Bhasale join me on today's podcast.