Telehealth providing support to South West stroke survivor
It was a typical December day in 2021 when 57-year-old Leah Hewson suffered a severe stroke which would change her life forever.
However, thanks to WA Country Health Service (WACHS) staff and the support of telehealth specialists, the journey to recovery was made a little bit easier.
In recognition of Telehealth Awareness Week (24-28 October) WACHS is shining a spotlight on how digital technology enables staff to provide life changing care to country WA.
After spending three months undergoing intense rehabilitation in Perth, Leah was able to return home to Donnybrook under the care of the Bunbury Stroke Unit via telehealth videoconferencing.
“That Christmas and New Year period was a very tough time with many unknowns and specialist appointments… so to be able to take Leah home to Donnybrook under the supervision of the Bunbury team was fantastic,” Leah’s husband Geoff said.
“From day one, the incredible team assisting Leah has been truly amazing.
“Always professional, compassionate, understanding and, above all, just beautiful people guiding us through every step of our journey and helping us navigate all the constant changes in our lives.”
The WACHS Telehealth team has enabled Leah and the Bunbury Stroke Unit to connect via weekly rehabilitation appointments from the comfort of her own home.
South West Senior Speech Pathologist Jessica Clews said telehealth allows Leah’s multidisciplinary team to assist with her day-to-day recovery despite living 40 minutes away from the Stroke Unit team.
“Telehealth is an important tool in the care of country communities, especially for people who are isolated, vulnerable or recovering,” she said.
“It allows our staff to be supported in delivering life changing care for people like Leah, reducing their need for unnecessary travel and increasing positive patient outcomes.”
Across Western Australia, telehealth has allowed regional staff to be supported by a dedicated team of specialist clinicians to support extraordinary frontline doctors and nurses provide care to country patients.
In 2019, growth in demand and improvements in technology enabled WACHS to launch the Command Centre, a 24/7 virtual care hub providing critical care to patients from the beginning to the end of life.
WACHS telehealth services includes the Emergency Telehealth Service, Mental Health Emergency Telehealth Service, Inpatient Telehealth Service, Maternity and Obstetric Emergency Telehealth Service, Palliative Care Afterhours Telehealth Service and more.
In 2021-22, telehealth access saved country patients travelling 46 million kilometres to outpatient appointments.