Patient scepticism turned to trust in virtual care
 

“I was sceptical at first. I thought, ‘How can you do rehab online?’ But once we started, it worked beautifully,” said Angelo Houllis, who received care through the Sydney Virtual Rehabilitation program. 

When Angelo suffered a major stroke, he was found unconscious in his home after three days. The road to recovery looked daunting but with determination – and the support of his family, especially his sister Des – Angelo has started to regain his independence and confidence with the help of the Sydney Virtual team. 

After surgery and several weeks in hospital, Angelo was referred by Concord Hospital's Rehabilitation team to Sydney Virtual’s Virtual Rehabilitation – an innovative hybrid service providing therapy and clinical support for patients in their homes. 

Dr Ross Hawthorne, Senior Staff Specialist in Rehabilitation Medicine at Concord Hospital, said the collaboration with Sydney Virtual gives patients like Angelo the confidence to continue their recovery safely at home. 

“Angelo had made good progress with his walking, but he still had significant weakness in his left arm,” Dr Hawthorne said.  

“Our role was to improve his function to the point where he could go home, then link him into services that would continue that progress. Virtual rehab allowed that focus to continue after discharge. 

“Patients are often anxious about leaving the safety of hospital after a long stay. 

“Virtual rehab gives them reassurance – they know the therapy isn’t suddenly stopping. There’s continued follow-up and contact, which gives both the patient and the therapists confidence.” 

For Angelo, the continuing care was reassuring. 

“I could do absolutely nothing with my left hand,” Angelo said. 

“But the team helped me with the pain I was feeling, gave me specific exercises. Now I can use the left arm as support, and this little bit of support has come from the Virtual Rehab team.” 

Every day, Angelo met with clinicians via video link. When additional checks were needed, the team coordinated home visits and arranged equipment deliveries to support his recovery. 

“As soon as the patient leaves hospital – usually the next day – we try to start rehab with them,” said Dr Aaron Mehta, Rehabilitation Physician, Sydney Virtual. 

“In particular with a stroke, where the evidence is quite strong to continue rehab at a high intensity, part of what we try to achieve with our service is to replicate what inpatient therapy offers.” 

For Angelo, the experience changed his perception of what rehabilitation could look like. 

“Having somebody training you in your home without having to go anywhere is actually a good deal – it’s a good thing. So, I’ve gone from a sceptic to a believer,” he said. 

As we mark Virtual Care Awareness Week, Sydney Local Health District is celebrating its leading role in virtual care and the launch of a new strategic plan to continue expanding services across the District. 

In 2020, the District launched Australia’s first virtual hospital – RPA Virtual Hospital – integrating a Virtual Care Centre with the long-established Sydney District Nursing service, which this week celebrates 125 years of highly valued community service. 

RPA Virtual – now renamed the Sydney Local Health District Virtual Hospital, or Sydney Virtual – has supported all District hospitals and emergency departments to manage capacity and provide patients with high-quality care in their homes and community clinics. Nearly 100,000 patients have received virtual or hybrid care since the service began. 

The Virtual Urgent Care service, which was expanded this year to support patients presenting at Concord and Canterbury Emergency Departments, continues to help reduce wait times and connect patients to the right care faster. Sydney Virtual also partners with Healthdirect and NSW Ambulance to help patients avoid unnecessary presentations to hospital.