RPA Virtual Hospital’s Virtual Fracture Clinic launches at Canterbury.
 

Souad Chidiac, the first Canterbury Hospital patient referred to the Virtual Fracture Clinic, is grateful for the integrated care she received both onsite and online, which made her recovery smoother and more convenient. 

“It is really convenient; I can do my appointments from home, and no one needs to drive me to the hospital,” Souad said. 

Souad injured her right foot on an 80s-themed night with friends when someone fell on her, causing her to lose balance. Her friends took her to Canterbury Hospital, where she was promptly assessed by the Emergency Department team. “Emergency was amazing. I only had to wait a short period of time before they called me straight in,” she recalled. 

After assessing her injury and placing her foot in a plaster, the team arranged an appointment for Souad with Canterbury Hospital’s Fracture Clinic. 

“They booked me an appointment as soon as I got home,” Souad said. “They called to let me know it had been booked, I just needed to confirm.” 

Following her initial consultation at the hospital’s Fracture Clinic, Souad was referred to the Virtual Fracture Clinic for follow-up care.  

“It was really good. They checked my foot, asked me questions, and answered all of mine,” she said. “I was curious about what I could and couldn’t do, what kind of pressure to put on my foot. All my questions were answered. It was really, really good.”
 

The Virtual Fracture Clinic, a physiotherapist-led service by RPA Virtual Hospital in partnership with Sydney Local Health District’s Orthopaedic and Physiotherapy Departments, has now expanded to accept referrals from Canterbury Hospital. This latest addition offers patients with simple, stable fractures the convenience of follow-up care from home or work through secure video calls. Referrals are made by Canterbury’s Emergency Department and orthopaedic clinic staff, following consultation with an Orthopaedic Registrar. This ensures patients receive timely, expert care from a coordinated team. 

Since its establishment in October 2020, the clinic has managed over 2,435 referrals from RPA, Concord, Balmain and Broken Hill Hospitals, GPs, and now Canterbury Hospital. By taking referrals from this range of services, the Virtual Fracture Clinic improves access for patients and helps clinicians manage workloads. 

“Our team often reaches out to patients the day after receiving their referral, allowing them to complete their recovery comfortably at home while reducing pressure on traditional in-person clinics,” said Virtual Fracture Clinic Physiotherapist Coordinator, Min Jiat Teng. 

A clinical trial led by Min Jiat is comparing virtual fracture care with traditional in-person care. The research aims to support the ongoing availability and expansion of this sustainable, patient-centred approach to fracture management.