"Telehealth connecting for optimum patient care."

Last week, due to unexpected hospital admission for declining health care, a frail, aging and acutely unwell Bunbury Haematology patient was admitted to Bunbury Health Campus for assessment, then transfer to SJOG for Palliative Care planning and management.

Being hard of hearing, their caring spouse attended with them. Unfortunately, their children live away. COVID-19 travel restrictions and border closures made their connection in person, prohibitive.

Seen by treating specialist locally, Dr Sarah, they felt reassured. However, the family welcomed a Haematologist update and opinion to guide their understanding and family plans. Doing so, meant the beginning of a complex connection plan including multi-sites, specialists and technologies.

At very short notice, the South West Cancer Services team - Cancer Nurse Coordinators, worked with Telehealth South West team and manager Renae to strategise the connection. It included Bunbury Regional Hospital / St John of God Hospital, Fiona Stanley Hospital's Haematologist - Dr Dustin and Jacqui - Cancer Nurse Consultant, connecting one child from Perth and interstate Victoria to connect the other child. 

It was a delicate and sensitive conversation being shared across many miles, through innovative technology allowing hearing and vision sharing thanks to the expertise of Renae at South West Telehealth. 

The ability to bring this family together with Dr Dustin in real-time was most significant, enabling one of their last family opportunities together.