virtualKIDS Urgent Care Service
The virtualKIDS Urgent Care Service (virtualKIDS) is Australia’s first paediatric-specific free virtual healthcare service. They provide video consultations for children (and their families/carers):
aged up to 16 years
with non-life-threatening health concerns
located in NSW and in some border areas.
virtualKIDS helps families access care and avoid unnecessary visits to hospitals where appropriate. Parents and carers are included in developing the care and treatment plan for their child with the specialist doctors and nurses.
The nurses and doctors at virtualKIDS assess, treat and refer care based on each child’s needs. They can:
speak with and provide information to parents and carers on how to safely care for a baby or child at home
arrange a consultation with a virtualKIDS expert paediatrician
refer the child to their local GP, Urgent Care Centre or local paediatric network
arrange an ambulance to a hospital emergency department if needed.
How do patients access virtualKIDS?
Patients are able to access virtualKIDS by contacting healthdirect on 1800 022 222 who will then refer if deemed appropriate. Healthdirect is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What conditions will virtualKIDS treat?
virtualKIDS take referrals for babies and children aged 0-15 years. Each child is assessed for clinical suitability before being offered a virtualKIDS consult.
The virtualKIDS team commonly sees babies and children with:
respiratory illness
vomiting and diarrhoea
fever
rash
decreased fluid-intake
a general feeling of being unwell
When should parents/carers call ‘000’ instead of calling healthdirect?
arents and carers should call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance or go to a hospital emergency department immediately if they have a life-threatening emergency.
Examples of life-threatening emergencies include:
sudden collapse
chest pressure or pain lasting more than 10 minutes
breathing difficulties
uncontrollable bleeding
overdose
severe mental health concerns.
Is there a cost for parents and carers to access virtualKIDS?
There is no cost to parents or carers if their child has a Medicare card, just like a visit to a hospital emergency department; virtualKIDS is part of NSW Health. It is operated by NSW Health nurses and doctors.
