Grampians Health patients offered shared specialist care closer to home through Virtual Hospital pilot

Grampians Health patients with high complexity pregnancies are now receiving shared specialist care closer to home through a new Virtual Hospital program connecting regional and metropolitan hospitals. 
  
The new program between Grampians Health and The Royal Women's Hospital, offers shared specialist care for patients, further complementing the high level of care offered at Grampians Health’s specialist obstetric services. 
 
Creswick mum Shelley, who is now at home with her healthy seven-week-old son, Evan, was among the first patients to benefit from the pilot, receiving care through virtual consultations, monitoring and real-time specialist input. 
 
Grampians Health Chief Operating Officer Ben Kelly said the pilot program, designed for patients with highly complex cases, had improved access and outcomes for regional patients while reducing the need to travel to Melbourne. 
 
“While our healthcare service is well equipped to provide comprehensive obstetric care, this new model complements our services, ensuring people from across the Grampians region can access high quality care no matter where they live.” Mr Kelly said. 
 
“What the Virtual Hospital model offers is shared specialist care closer to home, ensuring patients, like Shelley, can receive high-quality care while staying connected to their families and support networks. 
  
“This is made possible with both services given the ability to view live ultrasound feeds at the same time, something not possible with a standard video call.” 
 
Grampians Health Clinical Director Women’s and Children’s Services Dr Natasha Frawley said the program was strengthening collaboration between regional and metropolitan clinicians while improving patient experience. 
  
“Complex pregnancies often require coordinated care and input from multiple specialists. This model enables us to work together, supporting faster decision-making, no matter the distance,” Dr Frawley said. 
  
The Virtual Hospital pilot forms part of the Victorian Government’s broader plan to deliver more care in the home, reduce pressure on hospital beds and improve patient flow across the health system. 
  
In addition to maternity care, the program includes virtual wards for patients recovering from heart failure and cardiac conditions, as well as remote monitoring and specialist consultations – supporting more Victorians to safely recover at home.  
 
Since launching in December, more than 260 patients across Victoria have accessed care through the pilot, with numbers expected to grow over the coming months.