St John WA trials virtual reality to support paramedic recovery
This story discusses mental health and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Putting on a uniform.
Opening the door to an ambulance.
Hearing a radio call.
These are everyday tasks for people working in emergency services, but psychological injuries, like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), can make the smallest of acts almost impossible.
In an Australian-first, virtual reality (VR) is being trialled as a new tool to support frontline ambulance personnel recovering from these very conditions.
The Responder Emotional Support and Exposure Training (RESET) program is a virtual reality-assisted rehabilitation initiative currently being trialled at St John WA.
Developed with the Sydney Phobia Clinic, Marsh Mercer Benefits and Recovre, RESET helps participants gradually re-engage with situations that may have become difficult or distressing following injury at work.
Around 75 scenarios have been developed, recreating everything from putting on a uniform at home and driving towards work to entering a depot, sitting inside an ambulance, hearing radio communications, attending a scene and entering the State Control Centre.
The experience is tailored to each individual and progresses gradually, from simpler observational scenarios to more interactive situations.
A clinician remains with the participant throughout the session, checking how they are feeling and helping them manage their response.
The trial was formally launched in April 2026 and represents an Australian industry-first application of virtual reality within an occupational rehabilitation pathway designed for frontline ambulance personnel.
For paramedic Karen ‘Hoppa’ Hollings, seeing the technology firsthand demonstrated how realistic everyday triggers could be recreated in a controlled environment.
Eleven years ago, she developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after being assaulted by a patient while on duty — an incident that left her seriously injured and unsure if she would ever return to work.
She hopes this new technology can support her colleagues now experiencing PTSD, too.
“It can surprise some people how something as simple as putting on a uniform or walking into a familiar workplace can bring up a response,” she said.
“Being able to experience those things gradually and with support is what makes the program feel different.”
Virginia Bradshaw, Senior Rehabilitation Consultant at Recovre, said the program is designed to help people work through barriers at a pace that is appropriate for them.
“It’s about meeting people where they are in their recovery,” Virginia said.
“We can start with something very simple and gradually build from there, with the participant in control throughout.”
RESET provides a supportive, controlled environment where experiences can be introduced gradually and with appropriate clinical support.
Scenarios can be paused or stopped at any time.
And while RESET can support return-to-work goals, the focus is broader than simply getting someone back to their pre-injury role.
For some participants, the first goal may be rebuilding confidence, reducing avoidance and returning to everyday activities before considering what a return to work looks like.
St John WA Injury Management Lead, Michael Newbound, said RESET is designed to complement established treatment and rehabilitation approaches, providing an additional option to support team members through their individual recovery journey.
“The focus is on supporting recovery and wellbeing first,” he said.
“RESET gives us another way to support team members as they work through the specific situations that may be affecting their recovery or return-to-work goals.
“It complements the existing range of treatment and rehabilitation supports available to our team members.”
Return-to-work decisions remain with the treating medical practitioner and are based on the individual’s recovery and circumstances.
Participation is voluntary and based on clinical suitability.