March 24, 2025This milestone represents a major achievement in virtual care, demonstrating the power and potential of modern technology in the way we care for our community.
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas, visited Northern Hospital Epping last Friday to meet the VVED team and celebrate the incredible milestone. She was joined by Jennifer Williams AM, Board Chair, Northern Health, Linda Romano, Chief Operating Officer, Northern Health, Dr Bill Shearer, Executive Director, Quality, Safety and Transformation, and Dr Loren Sher, Program Director, VVED and one of VVED’ s littlest patients, Sunny Harris along with her mum, Emily.
“Our emergency departments are busier than ever, and services like the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department are making a real difference in lightening the load of our dedicated healthcare workers,” Minister Thomas said.
“Half a million Victorians – enough to fill five MCGs – have turned to the VVED for urgent care, getting the help they need without leaving the comfort of their homes. This service is transforming emergency care and easing pressure on our busy emergency departments.”
Minister Thomas also met with Emily Harris, and her son Sunny. Emily, who is a mum of three, praised the VVED for its convenience after access the service a number of times.
Dr Suzie Miller, Deputy Director for Strategy, Quality and Technology, said the VVED had proven virtual emergency care was an integral component in ensuring every Victorian received the right care in the right place at the right time.
“It’s safe and cost-effective, and patients love it,” Dr Miller said.
“We would never be celebrating this milestone of caring for 500,000 patients, making VVED one of the largest virtual services in the world, without the support of the Victorian Department of Health, Northern Health, and our partners at Ambulance Victoria, urgent care centres, residential aged care facilities and Nurse-On-Call.”
“As the VVED continues to grow, we are focused on ensuring the most vulnerable populations receive exceptional care with a focus on improving care for First Nations, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD), and rural and regional communities.”
Dr Loren Sher, Program Director, VVED said at least one in 10 Victorians had accessed the service.
“With our diversion rates that equates to 400,000 patients kept healthy and happy at home rather than attending Emergency Departments across Victoria,” said Dr Sher.
“As we continue to grow, we look forward to expanding our partnerships and providing innovative virtual care to more communities across the state in the years to come.”
