Australian gov’t launches centralised health operations centre in Perth

The expanded WA Virtual Emergency Department is one of the services operating within SHOC.

The government has launched a new State Health Operations Centre (SHOC) to centralise and streamline health emergency services across Western Australia (WA).

This facility, based in Perth, brings together critical health functions from the Department of Health, WA Country Health Service Command Centre, Royal Flying Doctor Service, St John WA, and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services.

One of the services that operate within the SHOC is the expanded WA Virtual Emergency Department, which will allow metro area patients, aged 16 and over, to be seen online.

Meanwhile, regional patients will continue to have access to the Emergency Telehealth Service, also co-located in the facility.