Cyber Consults Become a Reality for Bunbury Patients

Bunbury residents are now saving on costly trips to Perth for treatment with a $6 million upgrade which allows consultations via video linkage.

The new method of consultation was unveiled on Monday with Health Minister Dr Kim Hames staging a consultation between a Bunbury burns victim and his clinical nurse consultant in Perth.

Jordan suffered burn from a hot water bath when he was just one year old, receiving burns to 40 per cent of his body.

Jordan has had more operations than he, or his mother, can count.

Continual trips to Perth meant Jordan had to miss out on whole days of school, not to mention the disruption to the whole family who had to arrange their days around Jordans appointments.

Jordan can now leave school for a short 10 minute consultation through video linkage at Bunbury Regional Hospital.

The new way of consulting will not replace face-to-face services but would make things easier for patients when distance is an issue and could save the WA health system about $1.5 million annually.

The video consultation provided patients with the same level of care, and would also allow regional health staff to access required education and training from Bunbury.