An emergency department like no other
VVED: An innovative telehealth system is transforming healthcare across Victoria.
Partnership at a glance
- The Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED) provides patients with 24/7 access to emergency care remotely, reducing the need for in-person ED visits
- A joint initiative between Northern Health and La Trobe University, the VVED has grown with government support, enabling statewide access and handling up to 1,000 patients each day
- With 86% of VVED patients avoiding hospital trips, the service eases ED congestion, reduces wait times, and improves patient satisfaction.
We need bold and innovative solutions for the crisis in our emergency departments, and embracing new technologies for patient triage and care can help build a more resilient healthcare system.
Case study
Hospital emergency departments are under mounting pressure as patient numbers soar, driven by an ageing population, a rise in chronic and complex health conditions, and a shortage of accessible GPs. The result? Overwhelmed healthcare workers, extended wait times, and dissatisfaction for both patients and staff.
However, an innovative digital solution is easing this strain and simplifying access to timely healthcare across Victoria.
The Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED) is a pioneering telehealth service that connects hospitals, ambulance services, aged care facilities, and patients remotely, enabling non-urgent patients to access emergency care from anywhere in Victoria, 24/7.
Staffed by emergency doctors and nurse practitioners, the VVED provides clinical assessments, early treatment, and referrals to GPs and specialists for non-life-threatening emergencies.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Northern Health and La Trobe University partnered to launch VVED in October 2020 to pioneer virtual triage and provide remote emergency care.
After refining and scaling up its functions, the service expanded statewide with a $21 million investment from the Victorian Government in 2022, followed by an additional $235 million in 2024 to support 1,000 patients each day.
Since its inception, 86% of VVED patients have avoided a trip to the hospital, easing the burden on physical emergency departments.
VVED Clinical Director Dr Loren Sher says the service streamlines the triage and consultation experience for patients. “Unlike traditional telehealth models, where patients are physically seen and then admitted to virtual care, this service provides a complete virtual journey to patients, which reduces the need for patient transfers to ED,” Dr Sher says.
New partnerships, like those with Nurse on Call and specialised services like VVED Kids and Geriatric Emergency Department Intervention rooms, have expanded the program's reach to better serve patients with specific needs. Emerging technologies like augmented reality are also being trialled for aged-care consultations.
Now, La Trobe’s Professor James Boyd is leading a new study in partnership with Digital Health CRC, Northern Health, and the Victorian Department of Health, to measure the success of VVED and its impact on patient outcomes and healthcare systems.
The VVED was recognised at the Australian Financial Review’s 2024 Higher Education Awards, winning the Industry Engagement category. Prof Boyd says its success showcases La Trobe’s expertise in partnering with industry to translate research into practical solutions with positive impacts.
“We need bold and innovative solutions for the crisis in our emergency departments, and embracing new technologies for patient triage and care can build a more resilient healthcare system,” says Prof Boyd.
“The VVED’s success highlights the power of collaboration between academia and healthcare to bring real, positive change to our communities.”
To explore industry partnership opportunities, connect with the Industry Engagement team at industry.engagement@latrobe.edu.au