Since its launch in September 2023, the WA Virtual Emergency
Department (WAVED) has been progressively expanded to give more patients the
option of having a virtual consultation with a specialist emergency physician
in the comfort of their own home.
Residents of aged care homes were prioritised for early
access to WAVED, with virtual consultations being offered prior to ambulance
dispatch for low acuity triple zero (000) calls. WAVED now also accepts
referrals for community-dwelling adults from St John Ambulance WA and a small number of
additional agreed referrers in the Perth metropolitan area.
In partnership with St John Ambulance WA, WAVED will expand into the
Bunbury Hospital catchment from late February 2025. Eligible patients referred
by St John Ambulance WA (either before or after ambulance dispatch) will be assessed via
a telehealth platform, providing earlier access to emergency specialist
assessment and where appropriate, electronic prescription and/or referral to
services that support care in the community.
It is important GPs are aware of this service, as WAVED
clinicians may occasionally get in touch to discuss a patient’s care and
involve the GP in decision making. All relevant clinical information is
documented in a discharge summary which is securely transmitted to the
nominated GP and uploaded to the patient’s My Health Record, with a copy provided directly to the aged care home.
Expansion of WAVED will continue throughout 2025, with an
initial focus on developing a referral pathway from the healthdirect advice
line and establishing a paediatric sub-service.
