SA Health has announced the launch of a new virtual care service for women who need urgent attention to their gynecological concerns.
The virtual Women’s Assessment Service, run by the Women’s and Children’s Health Network (WCHN), will offer pregnant women across the state the opportunity to receive an urgent assessment from an experienced midwife via video link.
The service is launching for a 12-month trial period and will be available to people who are less than 20 weeks pregnant and experiencing signs of pregnancy loss; pregnant women who experience nausea and vomiting; and people with other gynecological problems.
WHY IT MATTERS
The virtual service for gynecological problems is said to be a first in Australia. This allows women who experience pain or bleeding in early pregnancy to avoid attending and waiting in the emergency department.”at such a challenging time,” SA Health said in a statement.
During a recent trial, the service received high acceptance from participants. In addition to expressing an intention to use the service again in the future, they also indicated that they preferred the virtual service to presenting in a hospital.
THE BIG TREND
The launch of the virtual Women’s Assessment Service builds on this WCN’s success in operating the Virtual Emergency Room for Children and Adolescents, which has been made permanent following A$30.8 million ($21 million) in funding over four years by the state government. The SA Virtual Care Service for adults has also been institutionalized through additional government funding of A$67.8 million ($47 million) over the next five years.
ON THE RECORD
“Pregnancy loss is a deeply personal experience, and women’s ability to cope with it in the comfort and privacy of their own home rather than going to the emergency room will go a long way in helping them get through such “an incredibly difficult time,” said SA Minister of Health and Wellbeing Chris Picton.
“This service is a great example of how technology can be used to provide compassionate, patient-centred care and keep people out of hospital unnecessarily,” he added.