Virtual reality becomes reality through donation

Donation helping deliver better patient care

Doctors, nurses and allied health staff at Eastern Health are adding Virtual Reality (VR) to their training schedules after a generous donation through the Eastern Health Foundation.

In 2020, a fit and healthy Craig Dicker found himself in a life threating situation in the Eastern Health Box Hill Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Thanks to weeks of treatment by the dedicated ICU team, including Dr John Dyett, Clinical Service Director Intensive Care Services, he was able to recover.

From this experience, Craig and partner Amy decided to give back to the team that saved his life, leading to the funding of the Vantari VR system, an education tool that will have a lasting impact on Eastern Health staff.

The Vantari VR system is an addition to traditional training and education that contains 36 different modules and procedures varying from simple to complex.

Dr Jennifer Porteous, ICU Specialist at Eastern Health Box Hill notes that it gives staff a safe, calm environment to learn that’s repeatable without the heavy environmental and financial cost associated with physical equipment.

“It adds a layer of dynamic tactile learning, for our medical, nursing, and allied health staff because usually the way people learn is through a little bit of tactile mannequin work, but mostly from observation and then supervision.

We’re very grateful Craig and Amy Dickers donation, and we’ve utilized it in a way that will have downstream effects to benefit not only our doctors, our nurses and allied health staff, but to improve the safety and the service that we deliver to our patients” she said.

Director of the Eastern Health Foundation, Veronica Lyons, remarks that the power of philanthropy in healthcare by donors like Craig and Amy Dicker can be immensely transformative.

“Their investment in Vantari VR technology doesn’t just purchase equipment—it invests in the future of patient care. By enabling our clinicians to practice complex procedures in a risk-free virtual environment, this technology will enhance their skills and confidence, ultimately leading to better outcomes for the patients we serve.”

Founded by two Australian doctors in 2017, Vantari saw opportunity in VR when comparing flight simulation training in the aviation industry and how it can be applied to healthcare.

Vantari is endorsed by Specialist Medical Colleges, including the Australian College of Emergency Medicine, Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetics, and Australian and New Zealand College of Intensive Care.