Doctors treating the sickest children in Gippsland will now have a direct video link to world leading experts in paediatric care thanks to Victorian-first telehealth technology at the newly opened Monash Children’s Hospital.
Minister for Health Jill Hennessy today officially launched the new Monash Children’s Telesurgery Project, which uses the latest cutting edge telehealth technology to improve patient care and save lives.
The Andrews Labor Government is providing more than $500,000 towards the project which has established a direct and live video link from Monash Children’s to regional operating theatres and emergency departments at Latrobe Regional Hospital, Central Gippsland Health Service and Bairnsdale Regional Health Service.
This means Gippsland doctors will be able to quickly get the very best advice and support from Monash’s top paediatric surgeons, when they need it, and securely online.
It will deliver faster diagnosis and support better intraoperative decision making for complex surgical paediatric cases, and will free up ambulances by reducing avoidable patient transfers to Melbourne and reducing travel time and costs for families.
Gippsland doctors will also use the technology for professional development as they will be able to view operations at Monash Children’s in real time and join face-to-face seminars. This will help with attracting and retaining skilled doctors in Gippsland.
The project will be delivered from the new Monash Children’s Surgical Telehealth Centre, which is located with the hospital’s surgical simulation centre and operating suites. It is also supported by a generous philanthropic gift from the Percy Baxter Charitable Trust managed by Perpetual.
Last month, the world class $250 million Monash Children’s Hospital opened its doors. The modern, purpose-built hospital will treat babies, children and adolescents needing specialist care from Melbourne’s booming south-east suburbs, the Mornington Peninsula and Gippsland.
A new $3.8 million helipad on the hospital rooftop will also ensure kids in Gippsland facing life-threatening emergencies can be transferred to hospital quicker, while $63.2 million will go towards expanding the Monash Medical Centre emergency department with an exclusive area just for children.
Quote attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy
“This Victorian-first technology will bring specialist care in Melbourne closer to home for families in Gippsland. That means better health outcomes for our most vulnerable kids and more young lives saved.”
Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing
“This modern technology is all about making sure kids in Gippsland can access the very best care, without having to endure long trips and time away from their family and friends.”
Quote attributable to Member for Clarinda Hong Lim
“Monash is home to some of the world's best paediatric surgeons and this is another example where we are continuing to lead the way.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020