General News
23 January, 2024
Medical advice / on call online
Getting medical help is easy thanks to a free online service designed to assist people who need professional advice.
Getting medical help is easy thanks to a free online service designed to assist people who need professional advice.
Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED) means people can seek assistance from anywhere - even from the comfort of their own home, in their own time.
VVED aims to be able to help you virtually and can organise prescriptions and tests close to where you live.
It can also provide advice and a GP follow-up.
It is a collaboration between a number of services including Ambulance Victoria, Austin Health, Northern Health, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne and the Victorian State Government.
Casey Kosch, from Casey Kosch First Aid Training, described it as a brilliant initiative which allowed timely medical care and advice by qualified doctors and nurse practitioners.
"This service will also be a wonderful option for sporting clubs to use on sports days with conditions and sports injuries that occur," Ms Kosch said.
She said she expected the service to make a big difference in the community, both to those needing attention and to doctors’ offices and hospitals.
"Being a rural mother and farmer's wife myself, sometimes being able to access medical services from home - especially when you're just not sure about the condition - will be great," Ms Kosch said.
"It will alleviate our hospital system, especially the emergency departments, as in the past after hours no-one had anywhere else to go for minor illness.
"Now we have options."
Ms Kosch said although it was critical that 000 still be called in an emergency, in cases of a sudden mild illness the service was a wonderful option for people of all ages.
She added that a lot of her friends and staff had used the service and had a "brilliant experience".
"They found it easy, quick and simple," Ms Koch said.
To access the service, visit vved.org.au and select Ambulance Victoria.
Complete the registration form, including verification, and enter the consult platform.
From there, enter the name and contact details of the patient, and wait for the consultation to start.