Virtual care in cancer services

Virtual care, also known as telehealth, safely connects patients with health professionals to deliver care when and where it is needed. Telephone, video conferencing and remote monitoring are examples of virtual care technologies.

Virtual care in cancer services

What is virtual care?

Virtual care is an integral part of a sustainable health system that delivers outcomes that matter to patients. Where clinically appropriate, virtual care is a safe, effective and a valuable way to support patient and family-centred care. It often complements face-to-face care.

We encourage NSW cancer services to consider the use of virtual care as a part of normal practice. It provides many benefits for people with cancer, carers and health care professionals across NSW cancer services, including helping people to receive more appropriate care in a timely fashion. 

Promoting the use of virtual care in cancer services will increase the choices available to clinicians and patients. This will provide a variety of options to provide and access care.


In NSW, virtual care can be delivered in different ways, including:

telephone 

telephone – an audio connection between two or more people
 

video conference 

video conference – video connection of two or more people allowing all participants to speak to each other, see each other and in some cases exchange data simultaneously
 

remote monitoring 

remote monitoring – using technology to collect and send medical data to an app, device or service.
 

store and forward 

store and forward – where a patient allows clinical information to be collected and sent electronically to another person or site for evaluation or management.
 

 

Patients should speak to their clinicians to determine if virtual care is an option for them.

When considering virtual care NSW health clinicians should consult with their local Virtual Care / Telehealth Manager who can provide support.


Virtual care in cancer

Case study

This case study explores the BreastScreen NSW virtual assessment clinic in greater southern NSW. This virtual model of care provides women living in regional and rural areas with access to remote multidisciplinary and specialist care.

Useful resources

Virtual Care in NSW Local Health Districts

Key contacts 

The Virtual Care Central (VCC)

The VCC is the key reference point for virtual care information for NSW Health staff, providing a central hub for information, resources and news. 

It can help you to identify and connect with others to assist and support the integration of virtual care into your clinical practice.

Health Education and Training Institute (HETI) Microlearning modules

The Health Education and Training Institute (HETI), in partnership with the Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI) have developed 2 learning modules to support NSW staff with introducing virtual care into consumer conversations and establishing a confident telepresence.  

These modules are available to NSW Health staff through My Health Learning. 

  • Introducing virtual care in consumer conversations 
  • Establish a confident telepresence in a virtual care environment