Spinal Outreach Service

The NSW Spinal Outreach Service (SOS) provides specialist state-wide support for people who have sustained a spinal cord injury, their carers and local clinicians throughout metropolitan Sydney and rural and regional New South Wales.

A new rural model

Following the successful use of telehealth for most clinics during 2020, the Rural Spinal Cord Injury Service (RSCIS) is exploring how virtual care can be incorporated within the service as a safe, effective, accessible option for healthcare delivery across New South Wales.

Accessing specialist spinal services in a timely and efficient manner through virtual care, has the potential to benefit rural clients across the state, and is in line with NSW Health’s virtual care strategy. In FY22, RSCIS received support from the Rural Health Outreach Fund (RHOF) to review the service to identify opportunities for virtual care. The review is now in its final stages and will result in a series of key recommendations which will inform a new Rural Spinal Cord Injury Service model. It is hoped that this new model will help patients to receive more appropriate care in a timely fashion and provide benefits for all patients, no matter where they live.