Virtual Emergency Care Service — Local services in Brisbane City

On 17 July 2025, I contacted the Virtual Emergency Care Service (VECS QLD) for the first time. And that was the best option left to me “to be seen and heard by a doctor. “re: blood in my urine. My wife contacted 000, the day before (16 July) when the bleeding started. For some reason, I was refused admission to a local private hospital. There were no efforts from triage team at this private hospital to obtain more relevant information. Hence the paramedics brought me to our local public hospital which I anxiously waited for 4-5 hrs without being seen by a doctor. However, Phan one of the triage team nurses monitored my bleeding issues and had done minimal tests since I was still passing blood. I understand the fact that there were more patients with serious issues waiting before me at the ER corridors & waiting areas. Later that night, I was able to convince the nurse to discharge me in condition that I would see a doctor the following day or go back to the hospital. The following day, I continued to have blood in my urine and found it difficult to see a doctor. It was very concerning since I had recent severe bleeding from my lower bowel at the end of May 2025, whereby the cause of internal bleeding remains unknown to date. It was my first time to have experienced both bleeding issues. I have other medical conditions and a heart/blood related device inserted post a heart attack (09 July 25). So that eventful day, 17 July when my wife contacted VECS and went through the triage team, is an option that gave me hope and peace of mind. After few minutes of technical set-up, Dr Garth Harrington did a virtual assessment of my medical issues. He eventually referred me to a local urologist, Dr Wesley Hii who did phone consults during the week in between his busy hospital/clinic appointments. I would highly recommend 13Health also known as VECS Qld which provided medical advice and support in the comfort of my home hence avoiding the long anxious waits at an ER and GP clinics. I am so grateful to Dr Garth Harrington, the VECS triage team and Dr Wesley Hii (Ipswich based Urologist) for all their demonstrated expertise, professionalism and immediate care to patients. CLIFF...

I wish I could give 10 stars. Rang yesterday with a bit of an exacerbation of the site on my leg where I had cellulitis last year. Within 15 minutes, I had been triaged by a wonderful nurse, who checked out the wound in question via the phone. I think her name was Lorna. Unfortunately we got cut off, but the link I was emailed took me back to a wonderful admin officer, Jordan, who made sure all my details were correct. He then transferred me to Dr Mark Gregory who checked out the wound, reassured me he did not think I needed to go to the physical ED. Then he prescribed strong antibiotics. Jordan rang me later to say that he had placed the script with my local pharmacy and it was ready to collect. Everyone I dealt with was professional, but also caring, concerned and friendly....

Triage nurse and Admin were amazing. Got to the doctor after waiting 2 hours in 5 minutes was done. Didn’t even ask to look at my son said he seems fine and active because he was touching my face? But 6 days of temps and still no answer to what it is ( have been to the doctors twice and waited at emergency for 3 hours with a 40 degree temp. Think this is highly a dangerous alternative, and could miss alot of symptoms for serious sicknesses better off connecting a doctors surgery to the hospital so you’re prioritising the patients health and not pushing them...