New technology revolutionizes patient care in the North West

A new state-of-the-art system is allowing high dependency patients at the Mersey Community Hospital to receive specialist bedside consultation without having to be transferred to the North West Regional Hospital (NWRH) in Burnie.

The VirtualRounds telemedicine system uses high speed broadband and real time video to put specialists from the NWRH in the Mersey’s High Dependency Unit.

Approximately 750 people a year are treated in the Mersey’s High Dependency Unit. The system is improving regional care for these patients through sophisticated technology by breaking down geographic boundaries and distance. It also provides teaching and training opportunities for medical students and clinical staff.