Telehealth transforms care for WA children and families
Clinical Nurse Consultants Kerry Murphy (left) and Natalie Middleton
From continence support to post-sepsis recovery, Telehealth is reshaping how care is delivered – making it more flexible, accessible, and family-centred.
Continence and Enuresis Service are leading the virtual care shift
The Continence and Enuresis Service has embraced virtual care as a core part of its healthcare delivery model.
More than 75% of appointments are now conducted via Telehealth, offering families greater flexibility and reducing the need for travel, especially for those in regional and remote areas.
Initially selected as a pilot group for videocall implementation in 2020, the service was well-positioned to adapt when the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped healthcare globally.
Today, virtual appointments are the preferred method for follow-ups, allowing clinicians to connect with children in familiar environments that reduce anxiety and sensory overload.
“Virtual appointments allow us to connect with children in their own space,” said Kerry Murphy, Clinical Nurse Consultant Continence and Enuresis.
“We get to see what matters to them, whether it’s their pets, their siblings, or their after-school routines. It helps us tailor care in a way that’s meaningful and effective.”
The service has also supported country families, delivering the Enuresis Treatment Program remotely while regional health services focused on pandemic response.
Despite occasional technical issues, the Telehealth team provides prompt support, ensuring continuity of care.
“We’ll never go back to face-to-face for every appointment,” Kerry added, “and parents wouldn’t let us!”
Australia’s first paediatric post-sepsis care program
Launched in March 2025, the Paediatric Post-Sepsis Care Program is Australia’s first dedicated post-sepsis recovery service for children.
It has already enrolled 90 patients and conducted 123 follow-up appointments, all via Telehealth.
This innovative model provides structured follow-ups at 3, 6, and 12 months post-discharge, led by nurses and supported by the infectious diseases multidisciplinary team.
Using tools like the PedsQL quality of life questionnaire, clinicians track recovery progress and identify areas where additional support is needed.
Families also receive education, care coordination, and connections to community and primary health services.
“Telehealth has been vital to our program,” said Natalie Middleton, Clinical Nurse Consultant Sepsis.
“It keeps families informed, empowered, and engaged in their recovery journey. Our goal is to ensure every child not only survives sepsis but thrives.”
Hospital in the Home Remote Monitoring (HiTH RM)
Since its launch on 7 April 2025, the HiTH RM service has supported over 300 families to receive hospital-level care in the comfort of their own homes.
Families go home with a monitoring kit that transmits health data back to the hospital, enabling timely and informed care decisions.
Each day, families receive a teleconference from nurses and an in-person visit. If concerns arise, doctors can join via teleconference, allowing care to continue without requiring hospital readmission.
This model allows children to sleep in their own beds, eat home-cooked meals, and remain in familiar surroundings – all while receiving high-quality care from the hospital team.
The service boasts a Net Promoter Score of 90, indicating strong satisfaction and a high likelihood of recommendation.
Families report feeling safe, confident, and supported, with 96% saying the remote monitoring equipment is easy to use.
Many also note savings in time and money compared to traditional hospital stays.
In July, the HiTH RM service was recognised nationally, winning the Patients Australia Award for Outstanding Patient Innovation.
The pilot will continue to deliver both virtual and in-person care until its conclusion.
A future-focused commitment to virtual care
Together, these programs highlight the growing importance of virtual care in paediatric health – offering compassionate, accessible, and innovative models for long-term support.
As Perth Children’s Hospital celebrates Virtual Care Awareness Week, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing digital health and improving outcomes for children and families across WA.