NHW has been seeing positive outcomes from the recently launched virtual ward rounds, with patients accessing specialist care closer to home as part of the Victorian-first Virtual Hospital Pilot.
The pilot, delivered in partnership with Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) and Austin Health, enables NHW patients to receive specialist inpatient care through virtual ward rounds, reducing the need to travel to Melbourne while maintaining high standards of care.
Virtual ward rounds are currently supporting patients in Wangaratta requiring specialist haematology input, with rounds taking place twice a week. NHW clinicians join RMH specialists in real time to discuss patient care, review progress and make shared decisions.
One of the first patients to benefit from the virtual ward rounds said the experience made a stressful time far easier.
Rebecca Weir, Chief Operating Officer at NHW, said the early patient experience reflects exactly what the pilot set out to achieve.
“For patients who would otherwise need to travel to Melbourne, virtual ward rounds mean more care can be delivered safely and confidently closer to home,” Ms Weir said.
“Having RMH specialists involved in real time supports shared decision making, strengthens care coordination and makes the experience far less disruptive for patients and their families.”
Ms Weir said the model also benefits local clinicians by building skills, confidence and strong working relationships with tertiary specialists.
“Our teams value the direct access to specialist advice and the opportunity to work collaboratively with RMH colleagues. It strengthens our partnership and supports high-quality care in our region.”
The launch follows close collaboration between RMH and NHW teams, with RMH clinicians visiting Wangaratta ahead of go-live to walk through workflows, systems and models of care. The pilot is supported by clear referral criteria, escalation processes and ongoing training to ensure safe day-to-day operations.
As the pilot continues, neurology virtual ward rounds will be introduced later in the program, with further virtual care pathways planned to roll out in early 2026.
NHW and RMH will continue to share updates as the pilot progresses, with a focus on patient experience, clinical outcomes and strengthening access to specialist care for regional communities.