The Allan Labor Government is focused on what matters most – expanding your access to free health care and protecting the public health system you rely on.
This year’s Victorian Budget 2025/26 invests $437 million to massively expand the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department – and make it permanent.
For communities across in Melton this will mean even more free, virtual emergency care. The investment means nearly three times the number of Victorians will be able to access free, 24/7 urgent care through the Virtual ED – reducing pressure on the health system and the dedicated doctors, nurses and paramedics working within it.
Currently, the Virtual ED delivers care to more than 600 callers every day. The Government’s expansion of Australia’s first ever virtual emergency department means the service will support more than 1,750 Victorians every day by 2028/29.
The expansion will also support more direct referrals from aged care, paramedics in the field, primary health networks, and Nurse on Call.
Since rolling out statewide in April 2022, the Virtual ED operated by Northen Health has provided clinical assessments, medical advice, treatment and referrals to Victorians of all ages and locations.
It has delivered more than half a million consultations to Victorians – free of charge.
In December 2024 alone, it received almost 22,000 calls – more than the number of patients seen in many hospital EDs in an entire quarter.
The latest presentation data from March has revealed the 30 areas of the state with the most callers to the service, including Melton with 447 callers.
The Virtual ED is just one of the many initiatives established by the Labor Government to protect and expand your public health system.
This includes 29 Urgent Care Clinics, which received a boost in this Budget and are staffed by GPs and nurses who can treat a wide range of conditions, such as burns and sprains.
Since launching in September 2022, the clinics have seen more than 800,000 visits.
If faced with an emergency, Victorians should still call Triple Zero or present to their closest emergency department. To access the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department, visit vved.org.au.
Quote attributable to Member for Melton Steve McGhie
“The VVED is an incredible service, for locals across Melton, it means that world-class emergency health care is never further than a phone call away.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas
“The Virtual ED is making it easier for Victorians everywhere to access urgent care 24/7 and taking pressure off our busy emergency departments and paramedics.”
