Patient’s recovery continued beyond the hospital through virtual care 
 

“It was a lot more convenient – a godsend, really,” said Ben Daley who received support through Sydney Virtual’s Low Back Pain Care (Back@Home). 

“Moving around was a hassle. I could do my exercises at home and they could see how I was moving through the phone. I didn’t have to go anywhere – it was just easier.”  

“They checked in on me every day and made sure the pain was under control. It gave me peace of mind – I didn’t feel like I was on my own.” 

When Ben arrived at Canterbury Hospital’s Emergency Department with severe back pain, staff acted quickly to assess and manage his symptoms. 

“Ben was a patient who presented to Canterbury ED in quite severe pain,” said Dr Laura Hutchinson, Director of Emergency Medicine at Canterbury.  

“His pain was managed very well immediately in the Emergency Department, which is always a priority for our staff.” 

Once stable, Ben was identified as an ideal candidate for the Back@Home)program – part of Sydney Virtual’s growing range of services supporting hospitals and patients across the District. 

“It really helped us facilitate his discharge that day,” Dr Hutchinson said.  

“Patients with back pain can often feel more secure in hospital but knowing they’ll have physio, social support and medical staff following up helps them get home early.” 

Min Jiat Teng, Physiotherapist Coordinator at Sydney Virtual, said Ben’s care continued seamlessly from hospital to home, with the team contacting Ben within 24 hours of discharge. 

“Traditionally, without our service, Ben would probably be admitted for pain management and monitoring,” Min Jiat said.  

“With Back@Home, we support him to recover at home – probably the best place to recover for back pain.” 

Through virtual consultations, daily monitoring and equipment delivered to his home, Ben received tailored support while remaining connected to his care team. 

“After a week with us, Ben saw our physio colleagues at Canterbury Hospital, and we provided a full handover, “ Min Jiat said. 

Dr Owen Hutchings, Clinical Director of Sydney Virtual, said the program exemplifies how virtual services strengthen hospital workflows across Sydney Local Health District. 

“Sydney Virtual is a District-wide service supporting all acute and community facilities,” he said.  

“Our aim is to help hospitals like Canterbury deliver care beyond their walls while keeping patients safe and connected.” 

As part of Virtual Care Awareness Week, Sydney Local Health District is celebrating the reach and impact of Sydney Virtual – delivering innovative models of care that bring hospital-quality support straight to people’s homes. 

Watch Ben’s story in the video above.