Virtual Urgent Care Service’s roadside assist
Whether it’s an acute illness or injury, the Child and Adolescent Virtual Urgent Care Service is here to support your child and can be accessed from anywhere in South Australia, even roadside.
Mum of three, Cara, called the service when two year old, Willa, was injured while watching her older sister’s netball training. While at the school gym, Willa suddenly threw herself backwards off her mum’s lap. Cara quickly grabbed Willa’s arm to stop her from crashing headfirst into the ground, but as she did, she felt something pop and knew that something wasn’t quite right. With Cara’s husband interstate, her mother-in-law at work and her own mother staying away from others as a COVID-19 close contact, Cara didn’t know what to do.
While trying to keep Willa calm and distracted, Cara jumped on her phone and clicked on the link for the Child and Adolescent Virtual Urgent Care Service. After completing the online questions, Cara was placed in the virtual waiting room. 15 minutes later, and back in the parked car after netball training, Cara and her children were speaking to the Virtual Urgent Care Service nurse.
The nurse explained to Cara, “I’m 99% sure that Willa has a pulled elbow – it’s like a dislocation but in the ligament, not the bone”.
The nurse checked with the Doctor and came back online to tell Cara that they would talk her through how to put the elbow back into place. The nurse had said that “the longer the elbow is out of place, the more swollen it gets and the more difficult it is to get back in".
Although Cara is a Registered Nurse, she admitted that “it’s completely different when it’s your own child that is hurt and in pain”.
The nurse sent Cara a link to a video showing her how to put a pulled elbow back in place and showed her how to do it using another nurse to role play. On the side of the road, from the boot of her car, Cara followed the nurse’s instructions and pulled the elbow back into place. The nurse stayed online for a short time after to check that Willa was okay and when Willa waved her arm at the nurse and told them it felt better, they knew their job was done.
“It was probably only 30-35 minutes from the time I filled out the forms, to putting the elbow back in. It’s such an incredible service and I’m so thankful” Cara said.
Consider the best health care options for your child. Your GP should be your first point of contact if your child is unwell or has any minor sprains or muscle pain. Visit an Emergency Department or dial 000 for any life-threatening emergencies. For urgent health care needs, acute injuries and anything in between, contact the Child and Adolescent Virtual Urgent Care Service, 7 days a week from 9am to 9pm.