ORLANDO - Families now have a faster, easier way to see a pediatrician through a new service called Nemours CareConnect. Doctors from Nemours are available through the service, 24 hours a day, seven days a week over the internet or mobile application.

"It can be really difficult to get a sick child in to the car and to the doctor. Nemours CareConnect lets you immediately see a pediatrician right from the comfort of your home," said Dr. Shayan Vyas, medical director for Nemours telehealth in Florida. "Parents can also feel good knowing that each provider available for a video visit is a part of the Nemours team of pediatric experts."

Families who want to use Nemours CareConnect may download the mobile application onto their smartphone or tablet. It is now available, at no cost for Apple and Android devices. The service is also available through the website, www.NemoursCareConnect.com.

Each visit costs $49 and may be paid at the time of service with a credit or debit card. The family must be in Florida to use Nemours CareConnect.

Should the child need medication, geo-location services built into the phone or tablet can identify the pharmacy nearest to the family.

"Nemours is always looking to bring our world-class care closer to families and you cannot get much closer than the phone in your hand or the computer in your living room," said Carey Officer, director of service delivery innovation for Nemours Children's Health System. "We hope this service helps our families in Florida avoid a trip to an urgent care center or Emergency Department."

The service comes through a partnership between Nemours and national telehealth leader, American Well. Nemours was the first pediatric health system to announce such a partnership with American Well.

"Nemours shares our vision for bringing care into the community, into family's homes, making it more accessible to obtain high-quality healthcare as soon as it's needed," said Danielle Russella, president, client solutions, American Well. "With the launch of CareConnect, Nemours and American Well are together providing a more family-centered patient experience."

Nemours already offers different telehealth services at multiple collaborating hospitals in Florida --Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center in Haines City, Indian River Medical Center in Vero Beach, Parish Medical Center in Titusville and Wuesthoff Regional Medical Center in Rockledge. That service includes a technological link that allows Nemours specialists to remotely assess a pediatric patient at the four locations through an iPad. Care teams are able to better determine the safest and most necessary care for the child and family.

Nemours has grown significantly in Central Florida since Nemours Children's Hospital opened. The health system now owns and operates 12 Nemours Children's Primary Care locations, six Nemours Children's Urgent Care centers and three Nemours Children's Specialty Care locations in the region.