The state government has launched its adult version of the virtualKIDS program with a Sydney-based service.
The Sydney Local Health District has launched its latest virtual initiative aimed at keeping adults out of emergency departments where possible.
The virtualADULTS urgent care service – accessed through Healthdirect Australia – joins the virtualKIDS service that was expanded across NSW in January 2024 for children aged up to 16 years.
Since that expansion, more than 10,000 children across NSW have received more timely, convenient care through the virtualKIDS service, and many thousands of these families have avoided a trip to the ED, according to the state government.
The paediatric service originally began in three NSW local health districts and the virtualADULTS program rollout will follow a similar path.
The rollout has started in the SLHD. RPA Virtual is one of two hubs that will operate the service, delivering virtualADULTS to all of metropolitan Sydney, Illawarra-Shoalhaven and the Central Coast.
A regional hub will begin operating early this year, with plans to expand the service statewide at the end of 2025.
NSW health minister Ryan Park said the program would help ease the pressure on emergency departments and give people the option of receiving care in the community or at home.
“This is all about making sure we can deliver safe care, at the right place, at the right time, with the right staff,” he said.
Once fully implemented, 85,000 patients would use this service in a year, with doctors and nursing staff able to treat people via video call for a range of conditions that were deemed urgent but not life-threatening, said Mr Park.
“It’s about those issues that you might normally see a GP for, but for some reason can’t access in a timely hour, this is about filing that gap,” he said.
“It works because of skilled clinicians, fantastic nursing staff, and really strong clinical leads as well as allied health care professionals who work in multidisciplinary teams providing care to patients where they need it most.”
Dr Jeremy Fry, emergency medicine staff specialist at RPA Virtual Hospital and at RPA Emergency Department, said he supported the initiative.
“My colleagues and I have seen and experienced first-hand what can be an overwhelming and exhausting experience for patients in emergency departments,” he said.
“This includes overcrowding in clinical spaces and waiting areas, and the often-extended wait times for care.
“Through working at RPA Virtual Hospital, we have also seen the seen the immense possibilities offered by virtual urgent care to safely reduce the burden on our emergency departments. This new service will mean less waiting time for patients.”
VirtualADULTS will use video conferencing technology to connect patients with a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, including doctors and nurses, where clinically appropriate. The clinician will assess the patient and give expert advice.
It will initially be available from 8am-4.30pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) for people aged 16 years and over. From February 2025, the service will be extended to be available from 8am to 10pm Monday to Sunday.
The service provides virtual urgent care for illnesses or injuries such as coughs, colds, fevers or flu; respiratory symptoms; vomiting and diarrhoea; minor infections; and rashes.
“Virtual care has made tremendous progress, accelerated in part by the pandemic, and it is becoming an increasingly embraced model of care, allowing people to be treated from the comfort of home,” said Mr Park.
“Virtual care is safe, effective and convenient, and I am so pleased we are making it available for adults for urgent care.”
Free, 24/7 health advice and access to health services like virtualADULTS and virtualKIDS is available through Healthdirect for patients in NSW.