NSW Health has responded to Northern Tablelands MP Brendan Moylan’s concerns about the ever-increasing reliance on virtual emergency department care in the state’s regional hospitals.
Mr Moylan says virtual care has a place in supporting healthcare delivery, particularly in isolated communities, but it is not a replacement for having a real doctor physically present in an emergency department, adding regional people are being asked to accept a far lower standard of healthcare than what people in Sydney would ever tolerate.
In a statement to STA FM, NSW Health spokesperson says doctors available virtually in their EDs are highly trained, specialist ED doctors who are Fellows of the Australian College of Emergency Medicine adding they assure the community that emergency departments across all NSW Health facilities continue to deliver safe, high-quality care, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The spokesperson says virtual care complements their existing services and provides more timely access to health services for both metropolitan and rural and regional communities.
NSW Health stated like many health services across regional and rural NSW, and Australia, they continue to face challenges attracting and retaining medical staff and as a result, there may be periods of reduced on-site medical coverage due to staff leave and limited availability of agency staff and locums.
Media statement to STA FM
Ensuring safe and timely access to healthcare in rural and regional communities is a whole-of-sector responsibility shared by Federal and state Governments, in partnership with private providers, community care services, and funded, non-government organisations.
NSW Health recognises the challenges faced by regional, rural and remote communities and continues to engage broadly with the community and key stakeholders to support improving health outcomes and access to care.
We assure the community that emergency departments (EDs) across all NSW Health facilities continue to deliver safe, high-quality care, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
A doctor is always available in our EDs, either in person or via virtual care services. We urge the community to present to the hospital if they require urgent medical care or call Triple Zero (000) in the case of an emergency.
Doctors available virtually in our EDs are highly trained, specialist ED doctors who are Fellows of the Australian College of Emergency Medicine (FACEM).
The Bureau of Health Information’s most recent Adult Admitted Patient Survey found more than 9 in 10 (93 per cent) patients admitted to rural hospitals in NSW rated their care as very good or good.
Like many health services across regional and rural NSW, and Australia, we continue to face challenges attracting and retaining medical staff. As a result, there may be periods of reduced on-site medical coverage due to staff leave and limited availability of agency staff and locums.
When a doctor’s availability changes, we work hard to fill a vacancy as quickly as possible through all options available to us and follow strict protocols to ensure our nursing staff are appropriately supported.
Virtual health services are also available across all rural and regional LHDs and provide additional support for hospitals when required. This includes access to specialist doctors familiar with the region, who assist bedside teams with diagnosis, treatment, admission and, when needed, transfer to another hospital.
Metropolitan LHDs also use virtual health services to reduce pressure on busy emergency departments.
Virtual care complements our existing services and provides more timely access to health services for both metropolitan and rural and regional communities. It has also demonstrated sustainable benefits for doctor wellbeing, patient care and patient safety.
Improving health outcomes for people living in regional, rural and remote areas remains a key priority for the NSW Government, with NSW Health making significant and targeted investments to support our regional workforce.
NSW Health has:
• Implemented expanded training pathways, such as the Rural Generalist Single Employer Pathway, which has assisted 74 doctors to train as rural generalists across NSW, with recruitment already underway for 2027.
• Recruited and retained more than 14,100 clinicians in critical, hard-to-fill vacancies, thanks to targeted recruitment and retention initiatives of up to $20,000 (up from $10,000) to attract key health workers.
Additionally, the NSW Government has invested:
• $3.5 billion to deliver hospital upgrades across regional NSW over the past three years, including new projects in Dubbo, Forbes, Maitland, and Wollongong.
• More than $900 million in 2025-26 to continue and complete the record health infrastructure investment in Albury, Bathurst, Broken Hill, Cessnock, Cooma, Cowra, Eurobodalla, Finley, Glen Innes, Goulburn, Grafton, Griffith, Gunnedah, John Hunter, Lower Mid North Coast, Milton Ulladulla, Moree, Muswellbrook, New Shellharbour, Port Macquarie, Shoalhaven, Temora, Tweed, Wentworth, Wollongong, and Wyong hospitals.
• $200.1 million investment in 2024-25 to deliver more than 20 key health worker accommodation projects across regional and remote areas of NSW.
• $44.8 million to boost access to midwifery continuity of care models, including funding for an additional 53 full-time equivalent midwives in regional NSW.
Media Statement: NSW Health
