Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas yesterday visited Northern Hospital Epping to announce that the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED) will be expanded to care for more than 1,000 people daily.

“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,” said Premier Allan.

Since rolling out statewide in October 2020, the VVED has provided clinical assessments, medical advice, treatment and local referrals to more than 256,000 patients.

The service has helped 86 per cent of patients avoid an unnecessary trip to hospital, freeing up physical emergency departments across the state for those who need them most.

Jennifer Williams, Board Chair and Siva Sivarajah, Chief Executive met with Premier Allan and Minister Thomas on Sunday morning to tour the VVED and meet with staff. They were also joined by local MPs Bronwyn Halfpenny, Member for Thomastown, Lily D’Ambrosio, Member for Mill Park, and Lauren Kathage, Member for Yan Yean.

The Labor Government will invest more than $235 million to continue the service and recruit additional clinicians to double its capacity. This will enable VVED to assist more than 1,000 Victorians with consultations directly from home or work, providing them with the care and advice they need, and potentially avoid an unnecessary trip to hospital in the process.

It will also support more direct referrals from aged care, paramedics in the field, primary health networks, the Nurse on Call service and self-referrals from the community.

“I welcome the funding announcement from the Victorian Government, which will enable us to continue to provide patients across the state with access to the right level of care, at the right time,” said Siva Sivarajah.

“This investment speaks to the exceptional talent and dedication of our staff in creating a service that is widely used and highly regarded. I am proud of the VVED and look forward to continuing to grow this exceptional service,” Mr Sivarajah said.

“Congratulations to our local Northern Hospital team who are delivering this service – they are working hard to improve care across the state and seeing real results,” said Member for Thomastown Bronwyn Halfpenny.