BUILDS Program improves stroke care access in North West Tasmania
21 Oct 2025
BUILDS is now transitioning to the Victorian Telestroke Inpatient Service (VTIS) model provided by Victorian Stroke Telemedicine (VST).
The program allows patients in regional areas to receive specialist inpatient stroke neurology consultations while remaining under the care of local clinicians. Using Telehealth technology, patients admitted with a confirmed or suspected stroke can consult with Dr Philip Choi from their own community, surrounded by family.
Amy Turner, Allied Health Stroke Coordinator at NWRH, highlighted the benefits of the program:
"The Telestroke Unit improves diagnostic accuracy and care provision. It’s a feasible and acceptable model of care that builds on previous work from the Echuca Regional Health BUILDS program."
During its 10-month pilot, BUILDS facilitated 110 consultations, with 92 patients receiving bedside Telehealth interaction. The program improved secondary prevention, reduced patient burden, and lowered organisational costs. Feedback from patients, families, and staff was overwhelmingly positive, noting reassurance, improved communication, and increased confidence in managing stroke care.
The NWRH stroke team has presented their findings at the Smart Strokes Conference and the Australia and New Zealand Stroke Organisation Conference, receiving recognition for their work. The team also won a Spot On! Award, nominated by the Robinson family, highlighting the program’s impact on patient outcomes and advocacy for its ongoing adoption.
BUILDS aligns with Tasmania’s Long Term Plan for Healthcare 2040, which supports the expansion of virtual care to provide hospital-level services within the community. Telehealth services, such as Care@home and Hospital@home, help overcome travel and mobility challenges while supporting clinicians in providing efficient, high-quality care.
The program demonstrates how innovative virtual care can safely, quickly, and effectively extend specialist stroke services to regional communities.
For more information on recognising stroke symptoms and urgent care, visit the Stroke Foundation: Home | Stroke Foundation – Australia.
Source: North West Regional Hospital, Tasmania Health Service
