The WA Country Health Service’s Command Centre has marked one year of operation by announcing it has enabled specialist level care on Country for more than 21,000 regional people.
The 24/7 virtual clinical hub is staffed by more than 140 doctors and nurses who utilise state-of-the-art video-conferencing technology to support country clinicians in the care of their patients across emergency, inpatient and mental health areas.
Now operational at more than 85 hospitals and nursing posts — with five more sites to be enabled by early 2021 — the innovative hub has enabled 70 per cent of patients to avoid medical transfer and continue receiving care on Country and close to home.
It has also connected Western Australia’s largest remote Aboriginal community, Bidyadanga, to emergency specialists for the first time, with plans for further expansion and support to non-WA Country Health Service sites including Silver Chain.
Announcing the milestones, Minister for Health, Roger Cook bridging the healthcare gap between cities and rural communities was no easy feat.
“We know telehealth technology has been on an upward trajectory for some time, but we also know that here in Western Australia, the WA Country Health Service has really propelled it forward,” Mr Cook said.
“One year on from its launch, the organisation’s command centre has worked with country clinicians to treat more patients locally, reducing the need for transfer.”
