Virtual urgent care expanded to children

Premier Chris Minns has announced the expansion of the innovative virtualKIDS Urgent Care Service across NSW, ensuring that NSW families will have access to the right care, when they need it most.

3 May 2023

 

THE virtualKIDS service utilises modern technologies, such as video conferencing and telehealth in order to connect families with clinical nurses, ensuring that children are connected to the best care depending on the child’s needs, whether this be a trip to the emergency department, a consultation with a paediatrician or a visit to the local GP.

 

The program is designed to keep children out of emergency departments and in the safety of their homes, while providing the best care pathway available. Throughout the pilot program, which began in August 2021, two out of three children were able to receive the care needed, without the need to visit an emergency department.

 

Member for Wyong, Minister for the Central Coast, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty, Minister for Gaming and Racing, Minister for Veterans, and Minister for Medical Research, David Harris said, “Urgent Care of children across the Central Coast is a high priority for the Minns Government.

 

“We know that our local emergency departments are stretched to the limit, and this is affecting the health of our community and the heavy workload of our nurses and health workers. VirtualKIDS will provide families with the care they need and ease the pressure our local emergency rooms.”

 

Member for Gosford, Parliamentary Secretary for Families and Communities and Parliamentary Secretary for Disability Inclusion, Liesl Tesch said, “Families across the Central Coast in need of urgent medical care are not able to access the support they need, when they need it. Our hospital systems are in desperate need of support and this program will greatly reduce the burden on our health care staff.

 

“Any pressure that we can take off our local families in their most vulnerable times is critical.”

 

This service will also reduce pressure on our overstretched hospital system and health care staff, reducing family’s reliance on emergency departments, where best care can be provided through the virtualKIDS clinical service.

 

The service is currently accessible in three local health districts with specialist paediatric hospitals – however will be expanded to all of NSW before the end of the year.

 

Member for Swansea and Minister for Police and Counter Terrorism, Yasmin Catley said, “I am proud to be part of the Minns Labor Government that has expanded the virtualKIDS program, so that families right across the state, including here on the Central Coast will now be able to access this life changing service.

 

“Kids will be comforted that they can stay in their own homes whilst receiving the care they need. The strain on our Emergency Departments will also be alleviated. This is a great step towards repairing our health system.”

 

Member for The Entrance and Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, David Mehan said, “This is a great way to ensure that Central Coast families have access to the right clinical pathway for their needs while helping to relieve pressure on our hospital’s emergency departments.”

 

With the Bureau of Health Information (BHI) revealing the Central Coast is the second worse Local Health District in NSW for emergency treatment wait times, this program will work to ensure children seeking treatment in our community are kept out of the long emergency waits while still receiving the primary healthcare services they need from the comfort of their homes.