Pioneering Brisbane start-up Cub Care is making it easier for families to access paediatric healthcare through an innovative care model that integrates health professionals, process design, and cutting-edge technology to provide a seamless alternative to in-person emergency department visits.
Established in 2020 by paediatric emergency physicians Dr Dave Wood and Dr Geoffery Pearce, and Dr Aaron Chambers, Owner of Growlife Medical and a Children’s Health Queensland GP Liaison Officer, Cub Care connects patients to a virtual ward where specialist paediatric doctors provide expert care and support.
This transformative initiative not only streamlines healthcare processes but also empowers families to receive the medical attention they need from the convenience of their own home.
A 2019 study by Queen’s University Belfast explored the reasons for parents attending emergency departments and found it was primarily due to a perceived urgency in seeking medical help, and the need for reassurance, convenience, and access.
Cub Care co-founder Chris Horwill said one of the main reasons for establishing the company was to alleviate some of the pressure from emergency departments while maintaining patient access to medical services.
“As a parent, you get quality healthcare as well as peace of mind,” Chris said.
“Patients can present directly from their own home and get access to a virtual ward staffed by specialist paediatric doctors.
“The doctor will ask you questions, discuss your concerns, and come up with a plan that works for you.
“After the consultation, you can check in later in the night and we will touch base the next day.
“You are provided with the same level of service you’d expect from a tertiary emergency department, including prescriptions, pathology requests, referrals, and medical certificates.
In the ‘virtual ward’ a doctor can monitor a child via video - tracking breathing patterns, observing behaviour, and checking for rashes and bumps.
Cub Care employs 11 people and has a team over 60 paediatric doctors, lactation consultants, sleep consultants and child health and paediatric nurses.
The service recently passed its 10,000th patient milestone and has been well received by parents living in regional and rural areas where residents may live a long way from their local GP or hospital.
The platform was trialled in 2021 through an ongoing partnership with the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service.
“Of the 5,000-plus children who used the service during the trial, 93 per cent did not need to be seen for an in-person review,” Chris said.
In 2022 Cub Care received $100,000 in Advance Queensland Ignite Ideas funding to expand their virtual paediatric clinic.
Chris believes the support and funding was a game-changer in promoting the innovative service more widely.
“We’re already seeing great results for this model of care thanks to the calibre of our clinicians and the careful design of our virtual platform,” Chris said.
“The Ignite Ideas funding was exactly what we needed to help bring the service to more Queenslanders.
“We see patients up to 16 years of age but particularly focus on the younger age groups, with over 60 per cent of our patients under two years of age. These younger patients often make up a disproportionate amount of emergency department presentations.”
As an Ignite Ideas funding recipient, Cub Care was able to participate in the Advance Queensland Ignite + program delivered by the Advisory Board Centre for high-growth potential start-ups and scaleups.
Chris said the company was grateful to be involved.
“The program was like a practical toolkit for founders,” Chris said.
We’re not just learning theory – we’re receiving a wealth of timely, relevant advice from our mentors that’s personalised to our business goals.
“Thank you again to Advance Queensland and the Advisory Board Centre for their support and guidance throughout the program.”
In addition to their Urgent Care Clinic, Cub Care also offers baby and toddler general paediatrics and perinatal support.
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