What does VIDS mean in DISEASES

The mission of the Victorian Infectious Diseases Service (VIDS) is to provide quality care for people with infectious diseases and to promote best infectious disease practices in Victoria. VIDS aims to reduce the burden of preventable and treatable infectious diseases in the community by providing expert diagnosis, treatment, prevention strategies and education.

VIDS provides services including public health surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory testing, research and evaluation, patient management and advice on health promotion. VIDS also provides infectious diseases clinics and outreach services as well as counselling and support.

VIDS services are available to all Victorians residing in or visiting metropolitan Melbourne. Non-metropolitan Victorian residents may be able to access some of these services via telehealth consultations or outreach clinics. People from other states are not generally eligible for VIDS services unless they have an infectious disease that requires a specialist opinion from a VIDS clinician or can be referred by another service provider such as a GP or other specialist medical service.

You can access most VIDs services through your GP who will advise you on any next steps after discussing your current situation with you. In some cases, referral from an emergency department or another specialist medical service may be required to access certain VIDs services. For more information please phone 03 9342 9550 or email [email protected]

Most patients accessing outpatient clinic appointments at Royal Melbourne Hospital will receive subsidised care from Medicare Australia when they present with an appropriate referral form signed by their doctor and a valid Medicare card. There may also be additional fees charged depending on what tests or procedures are requested during your appointment so it’s important to check with your treating doctor beforehand if you have any concerns about fees payable for any particular test or procedure.

Yes, VIDS provides advice on pre-travel vaccinations and general travel health needs including insect bite avoidance strategies and water hygiene advice for overseas visitors planning travel within Australia or abroad. Our travel medicine clinicians can also provide advice on post-travel screening if necessary which may help early detection of serious illnesses such as malaria following return from an overseas trip.