If you have a life-threatening emergency, please call Triple Zero (000) immediately
About the Virtual Emergency Department
The Virtual Emergency Department provides care for urgent but non-life-threatening health concerns. Video call with emergency doctors and nurses using your phone, tablet or computer.
It’s free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You do not need a GP referral, appointment or Medicare card. If you prefer to speak in your own language, we have interpreters to support you. Ask for an interpreter when you register to use the service.
The Virtual Emergency Department is operated by Northern Health and supported by the Victorian Government. Our doctors and nurses are based in Victoria.
We partner with hospitals, residential aged care facilities, Ambulance Victoria, GPs, Urgent Care Centres and Primary Health Networks to ensure better access to care across the state. You may be connected to the Virtual Emergency Department by one of these services.
The Virtual Emergency Department began as a pilot project at Northern Hospital Epping in October 2020. The aim was to help patients with COVID-19 symptoms, relieve pressure on emergency waiting rooms, and treat more people from the comfort of their home. The service was the first of its kind in Australia. It’s now available to everyone in Victoria.
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Reviewed 13 July 2026