General News
20 February, 2026
Virtual ED helping patients
ACCESSING free medical advice when you need it most just got even easier thanks to the recent introduction of the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED).
The VVED connects patients with emergency doctors for free via a video call, from the comfort of home.
Victorian emergency services continue to experience increasing demand, and many community members are unsure where to seek help when faced with a non-life-threatening emergency.
The VVED is an Australian-first video telehealth medical consultation service, run by Northern Health and funded by the Department of Health.
It connects Victorians to highly skilled emergency doctors and nurses 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with no need to attend an emergency department.
Anyone with a smartphone, tablet or computer equipped with a camera and internet connection can access the free service directly, without a referral from Ambulance Victoria or a healthcare professional.
AV’s local senior team manager Greg Seiz said the VVED has become an invaluable addition to the state’s emergency care system.
“The Victorian Virtual Emergency Department is an amazing service for our community,” he said.
“It gives people fast access to emergency trained doctors and nurses without the stress or delay of travelling to hospital.
“It helps to keep our emergency departments available for critical cases, paramedics available to attend to life-threatening emergencies, and ensures community members receive safe, timely care in the comfort of their own home. It’s a service that truly benefits everyone.”
By offering timely access to emergency clinicians, the VVED helps people to receive the right care, at the right time, without needing to travel or spend extended periods waiting unnecessarily in crowded emergency departments.
The service improves patient experience while also supporting the wider healthcare system.
VVED is available to all Victorian residents, people in bordering states who fall within a Victorian hospital catchment, and interstate and international visitors currently in Victoria.
In order to access the VVED, simply visit www.vved.org.au and selected ‘are you sick/unwell.’
You will then be asked to complete a short registration before being connected via secure video call with an emergency doctor or nurse.
If you have difficulty registering, you can also contact the VVED administration team on 9485 9070.
If your situation is life threatening, always call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
