As part of Virtual Care Awareness Week, Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) is spotlighting the innovative work of the Paediatric Outreach Service at Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals (BMDH) – a service that’s transforming how care is delivered to children and families across the region.
Led by Sarah Mulqueeney, Clinical Nurse Unit Manager of Paediatric Outpatients, the team uses the NSW Health Virtual Care platform to extend their reach and improve outcomes for children who need follow-up care after hospital discharge.
“We use the Virtual Care platform for our Children’s Outreach Service,” Sarah said.
“It allows us to provide follow-up nursing care, review and education either face-to-face or via telehealth.
“This means children can be discharged earlier and reduce admission rates, thanks to experienced paediatric nursing support in the community.”
The virtual model is especially valuable when nurses are unable to visit homes due to distance, safety concerns, or scheduling conflicts.
In these cases, telehealth ensures that children are still seen and assessed visually – something that phone calls alone cannot achieve.
“Virtual care allows nurses to still see and assess the child visually, which is critical,” Sarah said.
It’s a powerful tool that supports safer, more effective patient care.
Sarah Mulqueeney
Feedback from clinicians has been overwhelmingly positive.
“The NSW video call platform has truly transformed the way I deliver care,” Susen George, Registered Nurse Children’s Outreach Service, said.
“It’s user-friendly, efficient, and allows me to connect with patients quickly and effectively, enhancing both patient outcomes and workflow.
As a nurse, having this tool at my fingertips has made a real difference in providing timely support and ensuring continuity of care for patients we transitioned to community.
Susen George
Beyond clinical benefits, virtual care also improves the experience for families, reducing the need for travel, time off work or school, and the stress of attending hospital appointments.
“Virtual care allows you to access support from an experienced team right from the comfort of your home,” Sarah said.
“It helps you stay connected and supports better health outcomes for children and their families. When we are unable to see a child face-to-face, virtual care provides new ways of working, and we should embrace this powerful tool.”