​September 2022 edition 

The NSW Telestroke Service offers people living in regional and rural areas increased access to life-saving stroke diagnosis and treatment. It connects local doctors to specialist stroke physicians via video consultation in the emergency department.  

Two people wearing masks looking at a Telestroke monitor

The NSW Telestroke Service highlights how virtual care enhances access to health services, particularly specialist services for patients in rural and regional areas. 
 
Since the launch of Telestroke in March 2020, 23 sites have joined the service. More than 2,500 patients who experienced a stroke in regional and rural areas NSW have benefitted from life-changing treatment. 
 
The Telestroke team has been working with local health districts and networks to create videos of people’s experiences with the NSW Telestroke Service. 

Pam and Terry’s story 

Pam Jones started her usual day volunteering at her local St Vincent's, then she experienced a stroke. "I was a normal active person, and within five minutes I was not," explained Pam. 
 
Instead of being transferred to Sydney to receive her care, Pam could get clot-busting treatment straight away at Deniliquin Hospital, one of 23 Telestroke sites across NSW. “I got help very quickly. They were just wonderful people, wonderful.” 
 
Hear more about Pam and Terry’s experiences of the service in this short video.

Helping local doctors connect with specialist diagnosis and treatment 

Doctors Rachel and Ben James, Rural Generalists in Deniliquin, sitting in a paved outside area Rachel and Ben James are rural generalists in Deniliquin.  
 
In this video they talk from a clinical perspective about the service, which provides 24/7 access to specialist stroke diagnosis and treatment. Telestroke’s virtual model of care helps to harness and increase specialist skills.   
 
“We’re able to dissolve the barriers that have been placed by traditional care between us and the remote community and actually get definitive management guided by a specialist,” explains Ben. “By having Telestroke services we’re able to make an assessment in a very quick timeframe.”  
 
“You’re not alone – it’s just that your team is virtual,” adds Rachel. 
 
Implementation of the NSW Telestroke Service is a collaboration between the Prince of Wales Hospital, eHealth NSW, the Agency for Clinical Innovation and the Ministry of Health. 
 
Visit the NSW Health website to find out more about the service and other types of virtual care. 
Current as at: Friday 23 September 2022
Contact page owner: Strategic Reform and Planning