Statewide virtualKIDS referral pathway launched

Statewide virtualKIDS referral pathway launched


Mum comforts young boy, wrapped in a blanket and sitting on a green lounge

A new state-wide referral pathway to virtualKIDS is helping more children avoid unnecessary trips to the Emergency Department.

The Referral Pathway to virtualKIDS is a partnership between our Network, Hunter New England Local Health District and NSW Ambulance. The pathway is an Australian first, connecting ambulance clinicians with specialist paediatricians and registered nurses across our virtualKIDS service to provide virtual assessment from the comfort of a patient's home. 

“Working with NSW Ambulance paramedics and the Virtual Clinical Care Centre helps us get the best results for families. It also prevents the need for hospital visits, which can be stressful for children or too far for families in remote and regional areas” Amie Donnelly, Nurse Unit Manager, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, said. 

The virtualKIDS Urgent Care Service has been operating for more than two years and can assess and manage various conditions such as mild respiratory infections, gastroenteritis and fevers using video consultations. The service is available 24/7 and enables families to access care faster while avoiding unnecessary trips to the Emergency Department by determining the best care pathway for them based on their individual needs. 

Since launching in August, virtualKIDS has received 77 referrals from NSW Ambulance clinicians; with the collaboration resulting in a non-ambulance transfer rate of 88% of children.

virtualKIDS is accessible via referral from healthdirect on 1800 022 222.  In language support can be arranged by calling the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 and asking for healthdirect.