News

From Tuesday, 3 March 2026, Albury Wodonga Health (AWH) will commence an innovative eight‑week virtual ward round pilot in partnership with the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH), marking an important milestone in how specialist care is delivered for patients across our region.

The pilot will give local patients faster access to specialist neurology expertise, without needing to travel to Melbourne, while strengthening clinical collaboration between regional and metropolitan health services.

AWH is the second health service in the Hume Local Health Service Network to participate in the initiative, helping shape how virtual specialist care can enable safer, more timely and more connected models of care for regional patients across Victoria.

The virtual ward round model brings together AWH’s treating team, the patient, and the RMH specialist doctors through secure telehealth technology. RMH clinicians provide specialist advice and support virtually, in real time, while AWH remains responsible for the delivery and coordination of all aspects of patient care here on the Border.

What this means for our community:

• Faster access to specialist neurology advice
• Fewer unnecessary transfers to Melbourne
• More care delivered closer to home
• Stronger clinical support for our local teams

For AWH, the eight‑week pilot will focus on inpatients who would benefit from a specialist neurology consultation. Virtual ward rounds will be conducted twice each week, integrating into existing clinical workflows and supporting timely, high-quality clinical decision‑making.

AWH Acting Chief Operating Officer, Allied Health & Mental Health, Alana Jacob said the pilot represents a significant step forward for regional healthcare.

 “AWH is proud to continue our enduring partnership with the RMH through this statewide Virtual Hospital Pilot.”

“This virtual ward round model reflects our shared commitment to building a more connected, equitable and future‑focused health care system – one that ensures people in  regional communities can access specialist expertise when they need it most.”

AWH Virtual Ward Round Coordinator, Ryan de Vries said the initiative will directly improve the patient experience.

 “This pilot is about ensuring patients receive timely specialist input without the stress and disruption of travelling away from home,” Mr. de Vries said.

“By connecting RMH specialists directly with AWH clinicians at the bedside, we can support faster clinical decisions, keep patients where they’re most comfortable, and streamline care coordination across our teams.”

The RMH, Deputy Director of Neurology, Izanne Roos said, “We’re very much looking forward to partnering with Albury Wodonga Health on this virtual ward round pilot. This model allows us to provide timely specialist input while supporting and strengthening local care.”

“It’s about working collaboratively with our regional colleagues to improve equity of access and ensuring patients receive neurological input that progresses their care regardless of geography.”

Findings from AWH’s participation will contribute to the statewide evaluation of the virtual hospital pilot, helping determine how virtual specialist support can be expanded across Victoria in the future.

The collaboration builds on a long-standing shared focus between AWH and the RMH on improving access and patient flow pathways between regional and metropolitan health services, strengthening workforce development and self-sufficiency, supporting research participation, and expanding non-emergency patient transport options for patients travelling to and from Melbourne.

The initiative is part of Victoria’s statewide Virtual Hospital Pilot, funded by the Victorian Government through the 2025/26 State Budget. The Virtual Hospital Pilot is co-led by the RMH and Austin Health. 

The broader program aims to improve equity of access to specialist expertise, reduce avoidable transfers to metropolitan hospitals, and strengthen digital care pathways across regional Victoria.