Virtual Clinical Care Centre
NSW Ambulance’s Virtual Clinical Care Centre (VCCC) helps people who call Triple Zero (000) access the most appropriate care when their condition may not require an emergency response.
This approach helps improve patient outcomes. It also reduces pressure on hospital emergency departments and keeps ambulances for saving lives.
The VCCC has already helped thousands of patients across NSW access timely, appropriate care without a trip to the emergency department
What is the VCCC?
The VCCC are a team of paramedics, nurses and doctors that can provide real-time clinical support over the phone. The team can help you safely manage your condition at home, or refer you to the most appropriate care pathway.
This may be:
- a telehealth provider
- a community health service
- an urgent care service
- your local GP
- local health district (LHD) services
- Speciality Health Networks (SHN)
- specialist paramedic attendance
Why would I be connected from Triple Zero (000) to the VCCC?
Not every medical condition needs an ambulance.
If you call Triple Zero (000) and your medical condition can be safely managed without an ambulance, you may be contacted by the VCCC.
We use special systems to make sure you get the right care, at the right time, from the right healthcare provider. This may be an ambulance. However, it may also be virtual support, or another health service.
The VCCC team will recommend the best care options for you. This approach means you receive the care you need, without delay or going to hospital if you don’t need to.
Why was the VCCC created?
The VCCC is a business unit developed as part of NSW Ambulances $1.76 billion Strategic Workforce Infrastructure Team (SWIFT) program. It is staffed by a multidisciplinary team of paramedics, registered nurses and Doctors (Emergency Specialists) who support patients and on-road paramedics and volunteers via a 24/7 service that aims to deliver care at the right time, in the right place and by the right clinician.
The VCCC’s main objective is to connect patients to the most appropriate care provider in a timely manner to ensure the best health outcomes and experience.
The VCCC aims to reduce demand on paramedics, Control Centres and hospital emergency departments, saving emergency care for those patients who need it most.