By KRISTIN MURDOCK

A virtual medical service for rural and regional patients has won the NSW Premier’s Award for Excellence in Digital Innovation. 

The Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) has used innovative technology to lead the way in battling the chronic bush doctor shortage in regional News South Wales by creating the Virtual Rural Generalist Service (VRGS).

The virtual service is made up of a pool of 25 Australian-trained doctors, based both locally and internationally, with specialised GP experience in rural and regional communities. These medical professionals can provide consultations at any time, using video conferencing.

With this remote ability to assess patients, doctors can admit them to the local health facility or transfer them to a larger centre if necessary.

WNSWLHD Chief Executive Mark Spittal said the award clearly shows how the Western NSW Local Health District is leading the way in delivering virtual care to the communities who need it most.

“I am very proud of our staff and what they have achieved with this service," Mr Spittal said. "The VRGS has provided an innovative, first of its kind solution to longstanding rural health workforce challenge. ”

As well as supporting rural staff and patients by providing virtual access to highly-qualified Rural Generalist medical officers, the service also deploys doctors on the ground to provide coverage for communities where a doctor may not be available.

WNSWLHD Rural Health Director of Medical Services Dr Shannon Nott, said communities have embraced this service, with more than 40,000 virtual consultations and 800 days of in person care in its first two years.

“This service ensures patients presenting to rural emergency departments, hospitals, multipurpose services and walk in health centres can see a medical officer without having to travel,” Dr Nott said. “It also supports the recruitment of new doctors into communities by providing them with professional support, back up, fatigue and leave relief."

The VRGS truly showed its worth during the COVID-19 response, providing life-saving care across 30 per cent of NSW.

During the outbreak in 2021, VRGS delivered an entirely new service - COVID Care in the Community – which provided thousands of medical consultations and management to patients in their home with COVID-19.

Dr Nott said winning the NSW Premier's Award was great recognition for a service that works so hard to support patients and clinicians across the WNSWLHD region.

“I am extremely proud of the VRGS team and what we have achieved over the last two years, and excited about where else we can go from here."