What is Virtual Care?
Virtual Care also known as Teleheath is a secure and easy way of connecting with a health professional through the use of video technology. Virtual care can help patients to receive more appropriate care in a timely fashion, and provides benefits for all patients, no matter where they live. It supports patients and families to:
- Access services from home, hospital or a community centre, virtually.
- Reduces the need for travel while still providing high quality care
- have increased convenience and choice
- have reduced travel time and cost
- have more equitable and timely access to services to improve continuity of care
- have access to specialist services otherwise not available in their area.
- have ability to connect with their loved ones through technology.
In case of an emergency, please call 000.
How will our Virtual Care Service help you?
We know that when you live outside of the big cities and towns, looking after your health can be a challenge. Long distances to travel to get care, longer waiting times to see health specialists plus leaving your family and friends – sometimes overnight – all add to the pressure when you’re not well.
Virtual Care helps to remove the stress of living well. It uses technology we use in our everyday lives to help us look after our health more easily.
Virtual Care doesn’t replace face-to-face consultations – it works to support them and at the same time means less travel and less stress on your family and carers. It’s a real breakthrough for rural and remote healthcare.
What are the different types of Virtual Care?
Telephone and video consultations
You can use everyday devices such as a telephone, smartphone, tablet or computer to access healthcare virtually. Videoconferencing platforms are safe, secure and accessible. The preferred tools for NSW Health are:
You will need a stable internet connection and/or mobile data to participate in video consultations.
People often use both virtual care and in-person appointments to meet their healthcare needs. Speak to your healthcare provider about the most suitable options for your care. Where it's appropriate you can choose how you wish to see your healthcare professional. This can change from appointment to appointment depending on your needs.
Remote monitoring
Remote monitoring uses technology to collect and send your medical and healthcare data to an app, device or service. Remote monitoring equipment or devices can be used to measure:
- blood glucose
- blood pressure
- heart rate heart rhythm (pacemaker)
- respiratory function
- oxygen saturation
- body temperature and body weight and more
How do I book an appointment?
If you would like to receive your care virtually, ask your health care professional what your options are and book an appointment. If your service is using myVirtualCare, your health care professional will discuss the process for you to connect with them for your appointment using a "room link."
Appointments are to be made with the appropriate healthcare professional prior to joining a Virtual Care room. Our Virtual Care rooms are unattended until the time of an appointment.
Not sure if your condition has an available Virtual Care service? View the list of available Virtual Care services here.