NSW Health staff may only use software programs and platforms that have been approved for use.
The NSW Health Video Conferencing Platforms Guideline (NSW Health network or VPN required) outlines the platforms that have undergone the required privacy and security checks. These platforms include:
- myVirtualCare
- Pexip
- MS Teams
Read more about the practical use of these platforms in the Videoconferencing section of this guide.
Choosing the right platform
When determining the platform and software, the clinical requirements should be identified and matched to the functions or the capabilities of the platform(s) available.
Your district may have preferred platforms to use when providing clinical care. Your virtual care managers or leads can also provide advice and help advocate for new capability requirements.
Clinician confidence and capability
For virtual care to be effective, clinicians should be confident in using the appropriate technology. You can access training and education, as well as local support to increase your knowledge, capability and confidence to provide care using technology.
In the event of a technical difficulty that may prevent a quality consultation from taking place, clinicians should be able to calmly implement a backup plan, such as rescheduling the appointment or switching modes, e.g. moving from videoconferencing to phone or using an alternative platform.
Emerging software
As technology evolves, there may be opportunities to adopt new software solutions within NSW Health.
These solutions need to be clinically appropriate and led by clinicians in partnership with consumers and their carers.
Technology deployed by NSW Health should be chosen carefully, thoughtfully implemented, and designed to enhance consumer care, improve efficiency, and uphold consumer privacy and safety. When deploying technology in a health setting, consider ensuring it is:
- consumer centric
- supporting the clinical workflow, facilitating seamless communication and collaboration
- evidenced based
- intuitive and user friendly
- secure and maintains privacy
- reliable
- interoperable
- scalable
- cost effective.
Virtual care managers or leads can provide guidance and connections to eHealth NSW, who are responsible for providing ICT solutions across the public health system.