Sign in Subscribe
Pediatrics

Virtual Care Programs in NSW: A New Option for Paediatric Care

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A nation-leading virtual care program in New South Wales (NSW) is providing a new option for sick children and their families, allowing them to be safely managed at home instead of being admitted to hospital short stay units. The virtualKIDS Emergency Department (ED) Short Stay Unit, developed in collaboration with the EDs and virtualKIDS at Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, has admitted over 100 paediatric patients since its trial began in March 2024, with 80% recovering at home. The program has been awarded a $500,000 funding boost to expand services, enabling clinicians to remotely monitor vital signs, such as oxygen levels and heart rate, using state-of-the-art home monitoring devices.

Key Takeaways:

  • The virtualKIDS ED Short Stay Unit has admitted over 100 paediatric patients since its trial began in March 2024, with 80% recovering at home.
  • The program has been proven successful, with a 42% increase in callers avoiding unnecessary trips to the ED and being referred to alternative healthcare providers.
  • The funding will enable clinicians to remotely monitor vital signs, such as oxygen levels and heart rate, using state-of-the-art home monitoring devices.
  • The model is being assessed for statewide expansion, with a potential rollout to regional partners in Dubbo.
  • The NSW Government's investment in virtual care programs has resulted in a 42% increase in callers avoiding unnecessary trips to the ED and being referred to alternative healthcare providers.
  • The virtualKIDS ED Short Stay Unit has been awarded a $500,000 funding boost to expand services.
  • Families can access virtual care services by first phoning healthdirect, where they will speak to a registered nurse who will assess what pathway is most appropriate.

Statistics:

  • 178 callers per day avoided unnecessary trips to the ED and were referred to an alternative healthcare provider during the last financial year.
  • This represents a 42% increase compared to the previous 12 months.
  • Over 100 paediatric patients have been admitted to the virtualKIDS ED Short Stay Unit since the trial began in March 2024.
  • 80% of these patients recovered at home.
  • $500,000 funding boost to expand the virtualKIDS ED Short Stay Unit.

Sources:

  • NSW Government (Oct. 23)
  • healthdirect

Read more