Western District Health Services

Virtual Visiting enables residents to visit with their families and friends with the use of videoconferencing technology and the internet from anywhere in the world.  This means that distance is no longer a barrier for families to stay connected.

The program is available to all residents living at a WDHS aged care facility.

If you or your family have a relative in an aged care facility at WDHS and are intersted in participating in the virtual visiting program you will need the following equipment:

• computer
• broadband internet connection
• webcam
• Voice Over IP software - eg Skype, Primus, Activ8me to name a few (free)

Feel free to contact the Program Manager on 03 5551 8030 if you have any questions about the program or if you would like any further information

To make a booking:

• Telephone: +61 03 5551 8535
• Email

In July 2008 the Virtual Visiting Program received a grant of $120,000 from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing to develop policy, guidelines and procedures for the establishment of a virtual visiting system. As well as these developments WDHS will be expanding the program by making it available to 18 aged care facilities thorughout the southwest of Victoria.

To date, there are 10 health services that have implemented the Virtual Visiting Program. To view case studies from the Virtual Visiting Program, click here.

Ms Sylvia Symons & Ms Noeline Brown virtually visit with Sylvia's great grand children in Melbourne

• Western District Health Service recognised for its commitment to quality health care, receiving a Highly Commended Award in the category of Innovation in Information Technology in Aged Care. The 2009 Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Aged Care recognise best practice and innovation in residential and community aged care. Click here to read the media release
• Virtual Visiting Program officially launched on 4 December 2008. Ms Noeline Brown, Ambassador for Ageing attended Kolor Lodge for the official opening. Click here to see Channel 7's coverage
• Residents from all WDHS aged care facilities virtually visiting with their families and friends.
• Families participating regularly from locations including United Kingdom, Germany, Brazil, Western Australia, Queensland & Victoria

L-R Ms Noeline Brown, Mr Jim Fletcher, Ms Sue Rondeau & Mr Patrick Turnbull at the official launch of Virtual Visiting at Kolor Lodge, Penshurst on 4 December 2008.

WDHS CEO Jim Fletcher says that the program developed by WDHS staff has made an enormously positive impact
on the lives of Aged Care residents.

• WDHS Aged Care Award November 2009
• Australian Ageing Agenda: Contemporary Connectivity, March April 2009
• Barwon Southwest Aged Care & HACC newsletter January 2009
• 4 December Channel 7 news coverage
• The Hon Justine Elliott MP Minister for Ageing: Media Release
• Hamilton Spectator, 6 December 2008
• Warrnambool Standard 5 December 2008
• Barwon Southwest Aged Care & HACC newsletter August 2008
• Virtual Visiting was a finalist in the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Aged Care 2007

WDHS Virtual Visiting Pilot Project sought to create a sustainable program that provides a video communications link that connects Aged Care Residents located at The Grange Residential Care Unit (the “Grange”) and Kolor Lodge with their families and friends. This project improves residents quality of life through increased contact with family and friends and increased socialisation with the outside world.

In January 2007, a project plan was developed and a project team was assembled that included Western District Health Service and SWARH (South West Alliance of Rural Health) members.

The Virtual Visiting Pilot Project was a success. The project achieved the majority of its objectives and outcomes, with only four objectives not able to be met. As the project is ongoing, these four objectives will be achieved in the near future.

The initial findings of the project based on workgroup, staff and resident’s meetings found that everybody was very positive about the project and they believed that it had a real place in enhancing the lives of our aged care residents.

Aged care facilities can provide a barrier to face to face visits as some people find the environment uncomfortable. By offering an alternative not only is a virtual visit helpful for adults but opens the lines of communication for younger people which otherwise may not have existed.