Northern Health virtual emergency department hours extended

Northern Health has expanded the virtual ED's operating hours. (Supplied) 228065_01

Northern Hospital in Epping has extended its virtual emergency department operating hours for COVID-19 patients to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The move is in response the current COVID-19 outbreak which has seen a high number of cases in the northern suburbs. Emergency physician Dr Loren Sher said the hospital wanted the community to have easy access to professional health advice if their COVID-19 illness was worsening, or if they needed assistance with symptom management.

The virtual ED is currently seeing around 50 patients per day, with about half of these related to COVID-19.

For any other non-life-threatening emergencies, the Virtual ED is open 1pm – 11.30pm.

Details: nh.org.au/ed