- Western Australian families to benefit from greater access to virtual health service
- WAVEDkids expanded to operate five days a week
- The service connects families with senior clinicians, allowing them to access emergency healthcare from the comfort of their own home
- Demonstrates Cook Government's commitment to delivering alternatives to emergency departments, so Western Australians can access the care they need, when they need it
The WA Virtual Emergency Department (WAVED) WAVEDkids service is now available for emergency healthcare five days a week.
The Cook Government launched WAVEDkids last year and has already facilitated more than 700 consultations.
Of those consultations, 87 per cent of children were able to remain at home, without the need to attend a physical emergency department.
From today, WAVEDkids will expand from operating three days a week to be open five days - Monday to Friday from 10.30am to 8pm.
The service is available State-wide and will continue expanding in a staged approach to meet demand for paediatric care.
The WA Virtual Emergency Department (WAVED)for adults continues to connect patients with experienced emergency clinicians for virtual telehealth medical consultations every day from 8am to 10pm.
To access WAVED or WAVEDkids, Western Australians can call 1800 Medicare (1800 633 422) or Healthdirect on 1800 022 222. Their case will be assessed and if appropriate, they will be referred to the relevant service for expert advice.
This gives patients the option of receiving the care they need at their home or care setting, rather than waiting in an emergency department.
As stated by Health Minister Meredith Hammat:
"The WAVEDkids service has been extremely popular with Western Australian families, and I know expanding the service to five days a week will be welcomed.
"This expansion ensures families have a safe and convenient alternative when their child is in need of urgent healthcare.
"Of the more than 722 consultations that have been completed by the WAVEDkids service, at least 630 cases resulted in a child being able to safely stay home rather than travel to a physical emergency department for further treatment.
"I know the service has been particularly useful for parents in rural and remote Western Australia, who've been able to dial in and receive emergency healthcare advice for their sick child from home.
"It's through investments like WAVEDkids that we're increasing access to the healthcare Western Australians need when they need it."
