The Allan Labor Government is expanding Australia’s first ever virtual emergency department, doubling the number of patients that can use the service to get the care and advice they need, and potentially avoid an unnecessary trip to hospital in the process.

Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas today announced that the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED) – which currently delivers free urgent care via video consultations to around 550 Victorians every day – will be expanded to be able to care for more than 1,000 people daily.

The service has helped 86 per cent of its patients avoid an unnecessary trip to hospital. This frees up our busy emergency departments for those who need them most.

The Labor Government will invest more than $235 million to continue the critical 24/7 service delivered by the Northern Hospital and recruit additional clinicians to double its capacity, so it can assist more than 1,000 Victorians with consultations directly from home or work.

Victorians are also continuing to access the Labor Government’s 29 Priority Primary Care Centres (PPCCs) in record numbers, with a total of more than 316,000 visits since the initial rollout began in September 2022.

If faced with an emergency, people should still call Triple Zero or present to their closest emergency department.

Quote attributable to Premier Jacinta Allan

“We’re doubling the Virtual ED’s capacity so more Victorians can get the urgent care they need, from their own home – taking pressure off our busy emergency departments.”

Quote attributable to Member for Thomastown Bronwyn Halfpenny

“Congratulations to our local Northern Hospital team who are delivering this innovative service – their hard work in designing and developing the VVED is improving care across the state and seeing real results.”