The Far West Local Health District in New South Wales is the latest to try out a virtual fracture clinic service powered by the Royal Prince Alfred Virtual Hospital. 

Facilitated and implemented by the physiotherapy staff of Broken Hill Health Service in partnership with the Sydney LHD, the virtual clinic provides follow-up care for referred patients with specific uncomplicated fractures. 

Broken Hill said that in most cases, patients need not return to the health service to be seen by their doctors. However, patients with complicated fractures who need a cast are still being seen by their physiotherapists. 

WHY IT MATTERS

The virtual fracture clinic improves access to follow-up care for patients with simple fractures anywhere – at home, at work or at school, without them needing to travel far to visit a clinic or hospital and wait for a long time. 

For providers, the service reduces the time spent on managing cases with simple fractures by introducing a more streamlined process.

THE LARGER CONTEXT

rpavirtual was initially launched in early 2020 to cater for patients with cystic fibrosis and those in palliative care. Shortly after, it was redesigned to tackle the ensuing global pandemic. Alcidion, through its Miya Precision system, supports the virtual hospital's delivery of care for COVID-19 patients in home isolation. The said system is also being used by Sydney LHD to remotely monitor patients with acute diverticulitis and respiratory conditions. 

ON THE RECORD

"What we’re doing is combining the very best in medical staff and care with virtual services which mean[s] our patients can get their treatment closer to home. That’s good for the system, that’s good for the community, and it’s good for people who live outside our major centres," said NSW Regional Health Minister Ryan Park.