Virtual reality helping country palliative care patients plug into the outside world
South West palliative care patient Colin visits Kings Park from his hospital room at Warren Health Service
WA Country Health Service is helping palliative care patients to get out and about without leaving their home or hospital room, thanks to an innovative virtual reality program.
Now available across regional WA, the new technology allows patients who are house or hospital bound to visit locations such as Kings Park, Broome and Perth Zoo.
The virtual reality headsets provide separate images for each eye rendering a 3D virtual world, as well as a binaural audio system and real-time head tracking for virtual movement.
WA Country Health Service Executive Director Nursing and Midwifery Maria Flynn said patients receiving care for terminal and life-limiting conditions were able to experience sights and sounds they might not otherwise have the chance to see.
“Some of our patients are receiving 24/7 care and unable to leave their hospital room,” Ms Flynn said.
“This is a really innovative way of supporting patients at a difficult time in their life, giving them a chance to experience just a little bit of the outside world.”
Palliative Care Senior Social Worker Kerry Howell said the use of VR googles was a unique experience for all involved.
“These experiences can be quite emotional for our patients, so it’s important that we’re on hand to support them throughout.
“One of our patients at Warren Health Campus, Colin, worked as an electrical engineer and he was extremely enthusiastic about the technology behind virtual reality,” Ms Howell said.
Colin said he found it quite emotional watching the sunrise and sunset at Kings Park and thinks this technology has the potential to do a lot of good for country patients like himself.
“Another patient Glynne went on a trip to Perth Zoo, and then boarded a plane to Broome with his wife watching on from a tablet – something they hadn’t done together in 30 years.
“This is a really wonderful resource that I am so excited to continue to use with our patients across the region,” Ms Howell added.