Two health care services connecting patients remotely with senior doctors and nurses will be made permanent following a budget boost.
The Child and Adolescent Virtual Urgent Care Service (CAVUCS), which opened in August 2021 and was funded temporarily during COVID, will receive $30.8 million over four years.
The free service, which links families virtually with emergency doctors and nurses at the Women's and Children's Hospital, has helped more than 24,320 patients since opening, with 90 per cent of patients avoiding an unnecessary trip to the emergency department.
It also works closely with the SA Ambulance Service and has enabled just over 1000 ambulances to treat children at home instead of being taken to hospital.
CAVUCS Medical Unit Head and Paediatric Emergency Specialist Dr Benjamin D'Souza said the service was a national leader when it came to delivering virtual paediatric urgent care.
"For parents and caregivers concerned about their child's condition and unsure of where to go for their urgent care needs, our virtual service is an efficient way to connect with skilled clinicians for them to assess, provide medical advice and coordinate appropriate care," Dr D'Souza said.
The CAVUCS is available seven days a week, 9am to 9pm, for families and caregivers to receive care for their children aged between 6 months and up to 18 years.
The adult SA Virtual Care Service (SAVCS) will receive $67.8 million over five years to make this service permanent and expand its services.
About 18,000 people have used the service since it was established in December 2021, with 80 per cent of patients avoiding an unnecessary trip to the ED.
Other measures aimed improving the SA Health system include:
- $27.6 million over four years for more doctors, physios, pharmacists, and other staff to work on weekends at major metropolitan hospitals, ensuring patients can be discharged 7 days a week, freeing up beds for incoming patients.
- The new State Health Control Centre will receive $31.5 million over five years to upscale its operations to full capacity. The centre's initial phase launched last month out of Tonsley, but will move to the new SA Ambulance Headquarters at Mile End when it opens in 2025.It will provide 24/7 support and oversight of our health and hospital system, improving patient flow and reducing hospital overcrowding.
- Two new Hospital Avoidance Hubs will be developed in Adelaide’s northern and western suburbs to provide alternative treatment pathways instead of an emergency departments.
- The Women’s and Children’s Hospital Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) will receive a $20.1 million upgrade, to allow clinical and non-clinical spaces to meet contemporary standards, and for the continued delivery of high-quality intensive care services.
