Urgent Virtual Care: Impact on GP, Emergency, and Scheduled Care Pathways

Urgent Virtual Care (UVC), launched by the Health Service Executive (HSE) South West aims to enhance patient care in General Practice and Emergency Department settings by seeking alternative care pathways to unscheduled ED visits at Cork University Hospital. This study aims to evaluate the impact of UVC on patient care pathways, unscheduled ED attendance, and GP referral outcomes.

A retrospective observational analysis was conducted using data from Salutem GP practice in Co. Cork, comparing two periods: a pre-UVC phase (August 4th to November 4th 2025) and a post-UVC phase (November 4th 2024 to February 4th 2025). During the pre-UVC period, all emergency referrals went to the ED. In the post-UVC period, patients were directed to either (1) ED or (2) UVC, including remote, onsite, or scheduled care.

Post-UVC launch, 59 emergency referrals were made, with 17% (10/59) referred to UVC and 83% (49/59) to the ED. Pre-UVC launch, all 30 emergency referrals resulted in ED visits. Of UVC referrals, 40% (4/10) were resolved without ED attendance. 40% (4/10) led to additional scheduled care through UVC.

Our findings demonstrate that UVC is a promising service that improves patient care, enhances healthcare resource efficiency, and provides GPs timely access to urgent consultant opinions.