MNC Virtual Care

MNC Virtual Care is a collaborative virtual care service consisting of medical, nursing and allied health that provides early:

1. Assessment and intervention to patients within the MNCLHD at risk of presentation to emergency departments.
2. Supported discharge from hospital. 

General eligibility

• Residents (incl. temporary residents) of MNCLHD residing in the community.
• Patient or Person Responsible consents to the referral.
• Access to a reliable landline or mobile telephone.

Clinical eligibility

• Acute Respiratory illness (including COVID).
• Asthma.
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
• Mild pneumonia.
• Croup.
• Tonsillitis.
• Urinary tract infections.
• Skin infections including cellulitis.
• Pulmonary embolus (internal clinical pathway only).
• Viral gastroenteritis – acute diarrhoea and vomiting requiring symptomatic relief and fluid status monitoring.
• General Care Navigation requirements and assistance with referral to appropriate service.

Service provision

MNC Virtual Care provides a pathway for patients who are unable to access their GP/ primary care provider for the referred areas of concern and can support with the following:

• medical assessments with our MNC Virtual Care GPs:
  • assessment, monitoring via virtual care of clinical eligible conditions
  • weekend and public holiday support
  • diagnostics
  • prescriptions including oral anti-virals (S4D and S8 out-of-scope)
  • sick day action plans
  • medical certificates
  • COVID consultation and support.

• virtual nursing support (short-term):
  • observations such as oximetry during acute respiratory illness
  • monitoring medications via video call
  • rducation and advice.

• Care Navigation – facilitate linking patients with the right health service such as:
  • community nursing
  • wound care management
  • catheter care
  • respiratory educator
  • diabetes educator
  • My Aged Care referrals
  • NDIS supports
  • home care supports
  • allied health referrals.

Referral points

• Self-referrals.
• New South Wales Ambulance.
• Emergency Department.
• Inpatient services.
• Other MNCLHD health services.
• Community Health.
• General Practice and Aboriginal Medical Services.
• External health care providers in the community.

Internal referral pathways – inpatient and emergency departments

MNC Virtual Care provides the option for early supported discharge from hospital where a virtual care modality can be utilised to provide care in the home.

Inpatient and emergency departments can refer using the Consult Order in the eMR.

MNC Virtual Care Clinical Pathways options are available via the MNCLHD Policy Distribution System.

Current exclusions and referrals will not be accepted for:

• patients requiring physical assessment or face to face care intervention at primary review
  • patients may be referred after physical examination for follow-up, ongoing monitoring, education, care navigation and support
• acute trauma / surgical
• chest pain
• heat failure
• abdominal pain
• acute renal failure
• pain management
• palliative care – end stage illness (refer to palliative care services)
• Residential Aged Care Facility (RACF) and correctional facility residents
• dental and oral health
• mental health
• drug and alcohol
• hyperemesis gravidarum.

To refer your patient or client to MNC Virtual Care either call 02 6589 2515 between 8am to 4.30pm seven days a week or complete a MNC Virtual Care referral form and send to MNCLHD-MNCVirtualCare@health.nsw.gov.au

Please note: If your patient has a serious medical concern – call NSW Ambulance 000.  

Download the MNC Virtual Care Flyer

• Health Direct 1800 022 222
• After Hours GP Helpline – Healthy North Coast (org.au) 1800 931 158
• Mental Health Access Line 1800 011 511
• National Coronavirus Helpline 1800 020 080