​The Department of Education is committed to developing and implementing a statewide continuum of educational delivery to ensure that students with chronic health or complex mental health conditions receive specialised and appropriate educational support at all stages of their illness.

What is the Virtual Hospital Education program?

Complementing our Queensland Children's Hospital School campus programs, school students can now be supported through our Virtual Hospital Education Program (VHEP). 

The program's focus is to support students with continuity of learning and a successful transition back to school. Students engage in learning via individual lessons delivered online through Microsoft Teams.

VHEP delivers online lessons to students who are -

1. Recently discharged from a Queensland hospital but not yet able to attend their base school.

2. Inpatients of Queensland hospitals where there is no onsite teacher.

1. Recently discharged students unable to attend their base school

Upon discharge from hospital, students not returning immediately to their base school may be eligible for lessons through this program, if they meet particular criteria. Students are encouraged to use their own or their family's device (4G enabled) and internet access. Please talk to our VHEP staff if you need support to access a device.

2. Inpatient students in hospitals where there is no onsite teacher.​

Current hospitals include: ​

• • The Prince Charles Hospital (Brisbane)
  • Princess Alexandra Hospital (Brisbane)
  • Mater Hospital (Brisbane)
  • Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (Brisbane)
  • Mackay Base Hospital
  • Mt Isa Hospital
  • Emerald Hospital
    

Students are encouraged to use their own or their family's device (4G enabled), or they can borrow a QCHS laptop or iPad at some locations.​

Plans are currently underway to expand this service to further regional and rural hospitals.

Who can attend?

Any student who is:

• enrolled in a state, Catholic or independent school from Prep to Year 12 and is anticipated they will be absent from their base school for four or more days
  
• a discharged patient, unable to return to base school
• an inpatient of a participating hospital
• a school-aged young person who is not currently enrolled in a school but are looking to re-engage in school or an alternate learning pathway
  
  How does it work?

• Lessons are delivered to students online using Microsoft Teams.
• Lessons run between 9am - 3pm within regular Queensland state school calendar dates.
• Lessons are one-on-one, delivered by a Department of Education qualified teacher, and run between 30-50mins. Times are negotiated between teacher and student/parent/medical staff.
• Lesson length, duration and frequency are flexible to encourage student participation and engagement (with consideration given to treatment needs and level of wellness).