Northern Health has launched Victoria’s first state-wide Virtual Pulmonary Rehabilitation (VPR) service, a fully virtual program that brings evidence-based pulmonary rehabilitation into people’s homes through a single, integrated digital care pathway.

The shift to a virtual model, changes how pulmonary rehabilitation is delivered in Victoria, supporting more people with chronic lung disease to take an active role in managing their health and achieving the health outcomes that matter most to them.

For many people living with chronic lung disease, pulmonary rehabilitation can be life-changing. It improves breathlessness, increases exercise capacity, builds confidence, reduces hospital visits and helps people stay well at home.

Supported by Safer Care Victoria as a 12-month pilot, the service is designed to reach people across metropolitan, regional and rural Victoria, particularly those who have previously been unable to access centre-based programs due to distance, transport, work, caring responsibilities or health limitations.

“The Victorian Virtual Pulmonary Rehabilitation program supports a more accessible, equitable model of care for people living with chronic respiratory disease across Victoria,” said Janelle Devereux, Executive Director, Improvement at Safer Care Victoria. “Virtual pulmonary rehabilitation has strong evidence behind it, and this state-wide service is an important step in improving outcomes and reducing avoidable hospital care.”

The program is delivered through the My Health@Northern app, a secure digital platform designed to support people to manage their health at home. The app integrates personalised exercise programs, disease management education and remote monitoring, supported by a comprehensive multidisciplinary team including doctors, physiotherapists, nurses, pharmacists and psychologists. Care is provided through video telehealth appointments, regular virtual check-ins and ongoing monitoring, ensuring people remain connected to real clinicians throughout the program.

After an initial assessment, participants complete an eight-week exercise program aligned with evidence-based best practice. The program is individually prescribed and incorporates aerobic and resistance training, with exercises progressively adjusted over time to build strength, endurance and confidence. This is followed by an optional four-week self-management program that supports people to continue progressing their goals and managing their condition beyond the program itself.

Heather H, one of the first consumers to take part in the program, said she decided to participate after becoming unwell and experiencing a prolonged recovery.

“I became unwell and believed I was having a COPD flare up…my symptoms were not improving,” Heather H said.

“When my lung specialist suggested virtual pulmonary rehabilitation that I could do in the comfort of my own home, I happily agreed, as I’m hoping to learn tools to benefit living my life with COPD.”

Wearable technology such as fitness trackers and oximeters supports safe care at home, while routine collection of patient-reported outcome measures helps clinicians tailor care to what matters most to each individual.

“Doing the program virtually has been great, and I was very excited to get started,” Heather H said.

“Being able to do my lung rehabilitation at home means I feel comfortable and less anxious, and not having to travel has been a huge benefit for me.”

Chief Health Outcomes Officer and Director of Respiratory Medicine at Northern Health, Dr Katharine See, said the service represents a significant shift in how pulmonary rehabilitation is delivered.

“Pulmonary rehabilitation is one of the most effective treatments for COPD, yet many people have never been able to access it.” Dr See said. “This new virtual service changes that. It brings high-quality, evidence-based care into people’s homes, in a way that fits into real life.”

Virtual pulmonary rehabilitation is supported by strong evidence demonstrating improvements in symptoms, quality of life and patient confidence, alongside reductions in emergency department presentations and hospital admissions.

For people who have previously missed out on pulmonary rehabilitation, the service offers access to care that was simply not possible before. For clinicians, it introduces a coordinated, outcomes-focused model of care that can be delivered consistently and at scale.

“This is about improving access, equity and outcomes at scale,” Dr See said. “Most importantly, it’s about supporting people to live well with chronic lung disease and feel more in control of their health.”

The Victorian Virtual Pulmonary Rehabilitation service is now accepting referrals, visit https://vvsc.org.au/. For general enquiries or for more information, contact the VVPR team vvpr@nh.org.au.