Women who access the VAS are seen by an experienced midwife, and then an ob/gyn if needed, either virtually or in hospital.
South Australia’s Women’s and Children’s Health Network has launched a 12-month pilot of a new service providing women with access to an urgent assessment from an experienced midwife via video link.
Believed to be the first of its kind in Australia, the pilot follows a successful trial allowing South Australian women with symptoms of early pregnancy loss or who have gynaecological concerns to receive remote assessment by a midwife and treatment by an obstetrician remotely or in hospital if necessary.
A SA Health spokesperson said all women who accessed the trial service reported they would use it again, and that they would prefer to use a virtual service rather than presenting to hospital.
The service is available to women who are less than 20 weeks pregnant and experiencing symptoms of pregnancy loss; pregnant and who are experiencing nausea and vomiting; or those experiencing gynaecological issues.
Women who access the virtual assessment service are seen by an experienced midwife, and then an obstetrician/gynaecologist if needed, either virtually or in hospital if required.
The new virtual Women’s Assessment Service run by the Women’s and Children’s Health Network and builds on the success of the WCHN Child and Adolescent Virtual Urgent Care Service (CAVUCS), which has now provided advice to more than 30,000 child and adolescent patients.
The SA government has invested $30.8 million over four years to make CAVUCS a permanent ongoing service.
Health Minister Chris Picton said the midwives working in the service would also be able to provide advice and support to women experiencing any other genealogical concerns.
“This service is a great example of how technology can be harnessed to provide compassionate, patient-focused care and keep people out of hospital unnecessarily,” he said.
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