A nurse treats a patient in the Emergency DepartmentA nurse treats a patient in the Emergency DepartmentA nurse treats a patient in the Emergency Department

Clinics & services

Victorian Respiratory Support Service

Victorian Respiratory Support Service

We care for and treat people with chronic respiratory failure throughout Victoria who need long-term ventilation, both in hospital and at home.

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About us

The Victorian Respiratory Support Service (VRSS) is a state-wide specialist program. We provide a range of services to adults with chronic respiratory failure who need to use a ventilator.

We are national leaders in home ventilation. We are actively involved in research and provide advice to other health professionals both within Victoria and nationally.

Our services

We provide the following services

  • Assessment and initiation of ventilation for in-patients with complex needs (including assessment through sleep studies)
  • Medical care for conditions that cause chronic respiratory failure and the management with long term home ventilation
  • Specialised breathing, sleep and blood gas tests to help determine if you will benefit from long term home ventilation
  • Discharge planning and training in ventilator use for patients, families and carers
  • Outreach service
  • An Allied Health team with experience and expertise in sleep medicine, ventilation and respiratory failure
  • Ventilation weaning unit 
  • Sleep laboratory 
  • Respiratory laboratory 
  • Tracheostomy care

Our clinics

We run the following clinics:

  • Respiratory Support Clinic
  • Neuromuscular Disease Clinic

We run VRSS clinics in the following locations:

  • Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital, Centaur Wing
  • Ventilator Accommodation Support Service in Thornbury
  • Calvary Health Care Bethlehem Hospital 
  • Bendigo Health
  • Barwon Health
  • Peninsula Health

A Telehealth clinic is also available for regional patients.

Referrals

For patients

You need a referral from your GP, specialist or health care provider to access this service.

For health professionals

1. Contact the VRSS Registrar at Austin Health on 03 9496 5000

2. Download and complete the VRSS Referral Form 

3. Return the referral to us via:

Email: VRSSadmin@austin.org.au

Fax: 03 9496 3723

Contact us

Victorian Respiratory Support Service

Phone: 9496 3688

Fax: 03 9496 3723

Email: VRSSadmin@austin.org.au

Open hours: Monday to Friday 8am - 4.30pm

Location

Victorian Respiratory Support Service
Centre of Excellence in Respiratory and Sleep Medicine
Austin Hospital
145 Studley Road
Heidelberg Victoria

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Postal address

Victorian Respiratory Support Service
Austin Hospital
PO Box 5555
Heidelberg VIC 3084
Australia