$130m to free up EDs and hospital beds by using virtual care

More than $130m will be in the state budget for virtual health care – where patients are assessed remotely – in a bid to unclog emergency departments and ease ambulance ramping.

More than $130m will be in the state budget for virtual health care in a bid to free up hospital beds, unclog emergency departments and ease ambulance ramping.

The money will see children and adults in separate services assessed at home or in places such as residential aged care facilities by clinicians working online and via telehealth.

The Child and Adolescent Virtual Urgent Care Service (CAVUCS) will receive $30.8m over four years in a permanent extension of the service initially funded temporarily when the pandemic struck.

It connects families online with emergency doctors and nurses at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

Premier Peter Malinauskas with patient Judy Brady during a round of announcements of spending on health in the state budget. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

In addition, the adult SA Virtual Care Service (SAVCS) will receive $67.8m over five years to make this service permanent and expand it.

The children’s service has seen more than 24,320 patients since opening in August 2021, with 90 per cent — 21,862 patients and their families — avoiding a trip to the ED.

The service works with the SA Ambulance Service and has seen 1020 ambulance calls to treat children at home instead of being taken to hospital.

The free statewide service is available seven days a week, 9am to 9pm, for children aged 6 months and to 18 years and officials estimate it has saved families in regional areas more than 1 million kilometres and 19,100 hours in travel time to an ED.

About 18,000 people have used the adult virtual care service since December 2021, with 80 per cent avoiding a trip to the ED.

In addition, the new State Health Control Centre will receive $31.5m over five years to increase operations to its full capability.

The centre launched last month out of Tonsley but will move to the new SA Ambulance Service Headquarters at Mile End when it opens in 2025.

Premier Peter Malinauskas said that at the election, Labor made it clear it was committed to “reducing ramping” and blamed GP shortages for the ongoing ramping problems.

remier Peter Malinauskas, Treasurer Stephen Mullighan and Health Minister Chris Picton at the RAH. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

“We’re making massive investments to improve the system, but a key challenge is the number of patients who present to an ED sicker than they otherwise would be because of a nationwide shortage of GPs,” he said.

“These virtual care services have already demonstrated they can play a vital role in helping people get the help they need without leaving home, easing pressure on the system.”

Opposition health spokeswoman Ashton Hurn welcomed the expansion of the initative introduced by the former Liberal government.

“Despite the success of the virtual health care program Peter Malinauskas is still a long way from keeping his promise to fix ramping,” she said.

Health Minister Chris Picton said: “When you’ve got a sick child, you can’t get into a GP and you don’t need to go to an ED, our virtual care service can provide timely, safe health care in your own home.

“Our adult virtual care service offers the same convenience and care for older South Australians.”

CAVUCS head, and paediatric emergency specialist, Dr Benjamin D’Souza said the virtual service is an efficient way for worried parents to connect with skilled clinicians for them to assess, provide medical advice, and co-ordinate appropriate care for sick children.