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Women’s and Children’s Hospital
Ngangkiku Ngartuku Kukuwardli
Acknowledgement
The Women's and Children's Hospital is located on the traditional lands for the Kaurna people, and we respect their spiritual relationship with their Country. We also acknowledge that the Kaurna people are the custodians of the Adelaide region, and that their cultural and heritage beliefs are still as important to the living Kaurna people today.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices and names of people who have passed away.

Child and Adolescent Virtual Urgent Care Service – Frequently Asked Questions

CAVUC feature

Here we answer possible questions you may have about the Child and Adolescent Virtual Urgent Care Service.

What types on conditions do you see in the Child and Adolescent Virtual Urgent Care Service?

The Child and Adolescent Virtual Urgent Care Service will not see and treat life threatening conditions but is able to see a variety of urgent and semi-urgent conditions such as:

  • Allergies
  • Cough, cold, runny nose
  • Ear pain
  • Throat pain
  • Fever
  • Minor head injuries
  • Rashes
  • Abdominal pain
  • Minor injuries – sports injuries, sprains and strains
  • Mental health

If needed, we can refer to services close to your home, such as if your child needs x-rays or blood tests.

Who will assess my child?

The Child and Adolescent Virtual Urgent Care Service is staffed by highly-skilled paediatric Emergency nurses, doctors and multi-disciplinary mental health clinicians.

Does my child need to be with me for the virtual consult?

For medical assessments:
Yes – the nurse and medical staff will need to see your child in order to complete a comprehensive assessment and to develop the best plan of care.

For mental health assessments:
No – mental health clinicians can assess and support young people in crisis. We can also provide advice and strategies to caregivers supporting a young person in crisis.

What do I do if my child needs urgent care at a time when the service is not operating?


In an emergency, call 000 or present to an Emergency Department

For non-life threatening mental health support, go to:

What do I need for my appointment?
  • A device with a camera and audio (phone, tablet, computer)
  • Your Medicare card and medical insurance details

If applicable, please make a list of your child’s past medical history and current medications. Ideally, the virtual consult should be undertaken in a quiet environment with optimal lighting to allow the nurse and doctor to see the patient and carry out a comprehensive assessment.

It is also useful to have your GP and local pharmacy contact details in case we need to provide a script or follow-up letter.

If you have a current mental health provider, we can provide them with a follow-up letter.

How long will it take?

This will depend on your child’s condition and how many other people are using the service. Children with the most urgent conditions will be prioritised.

What if I think my child requires a physical examination?

Our experienced nurses and doctors will guide you through some aspects of the physical examination to assist the assessment. If the nurse or doctor feels that an examination needs to occur in person they will refer you to the most appropriate service.

Where might we be referred?

This will depend on your child’s condition. Referral pathways include:

  • Priority Care Centres (Oaklands Park, Hindmarsh, Para Hills West, Elizabeth)
  • Emergency Mental Health Team (virtual consult)
  • Urgent Mental Health Care Centre (Adelaide CBD)
  • Your local pharmacy
  • Your local GP
  • Your closest specimen collection centre
  • Your closest radiology provider
  • Your local emergency department that caters for paediatric patients
  • Child, Adolescent Mental Health Service
  • Primary Mental Health Care Services including:
    • Health to Health
    • Non government organisations
    • Private mental health providers
Do you provide sick certificates if needed?

Yes. If you require a sick certificate for work, school or childcare, please let the nurse/doctor know.