Virtual Care is a secure and easy way of connecting with a health professional through the use of video technology.
The service is a real breakthrough for providing healthcare. It is changing the way we provide our services to you.
Virtual Care doesn’t replace face-to-face consultations – it works to support them:
- It allows you to access services from home, hospital or a community centre, virtually.
- It reduces the need for travel while still providing high quality care
- it means less travel and less stress on your family and carers.
Benefits
Virtual Care offers many benefits for patients and their families or carers. Some of the many benefits of Virtual Care include:
- No travel time – having your consultation by video can save you the time, effort and cost needed to travel to an in-person appointment
- Savings - travel, parking and accommodation costs are reduced
- Convenience - if you are unable to attend an appointment
- Less disruption - things in your life - like family, work, routine - are less impacted
- Familiar care – if you live in a rural or remote area, you can continue to receive specialist care at your local hospital rather than transferring to a large hospital away from home
- Ease of access – you can have the consultation in your home (or anywhere that suits) using your own computer
- Flexible health care - you can easily bring together different people involved in your care, like carers and other healthcare providers.
How does it work?
Instead of attending a face-to-face appointment, Virtual Care uses technology to connect everyone to the clinical appointment.
- All participants will be able to hear and see – it’s just like being in the same room, but you can be anywhere.
- Other people can join and participate – such as your family members, carers or other health or social care providers.
- You will still receive the same standard of care, regardless of whether you attend your appointment face-to-face or via telehealth.
- Telehealth services are provided using secure platforms. Like any face-to-face consultation your privacy and confidentiality will be maintained.
- Telehealth appointments can be by mobile phone, tablet, laptop or other specialised equipment.
Virtual Care can take some getting used to, but it’s easy to set up. It’s a great idea to test your connection prior to your appointment and reach out for help if you have any problems. You will be given instructions on how to connect.
