Telehealth services that connected millions of Australians to their doctors and kept people safely at home throughout the pandemic are set to be made a permanent feature of the country's health care system.More than 16 million Australians have used telehealth throughout the pandemicThe federal government has announced a $309 million package for primary health care, which includes making the virtual service permanent.
Health Minister Greg Hunt said telehealth had been a "quiet revolution" to the healthcare system and had been critical to Australia's success in limiting the spread of COVID.Telehealth services were quickly stood up by the government in less than a fortnight to serve as a temporary support through the pandemic.The government has paid out more than $4.4 billion on Medicare benefits accessed through telehealth.
"There is a very important role for face to face [care], but equally that supplementary role for telehealth can give people access when they need it appropriate to their circumstances," Mr Hunt said.
These have not been good for families with small kids who really need to see a doctor & be properly diagnosed. They are no substitute for a proper face to face appointment & physical examination.
Can someone remind the post menopausal labia outpatients clinic that telehealth doesn’t work?
Always going to b, just another saving & cut back off OUR Medicare from GregHuntMP & ScottMorrisonMP it's exactly what we need, more time on the phone and on devices, as opposed to real face to face treatment and human contact,they'll b removing oxygen next from surgery list!!
Telehealth is & would be awesome in Remote Rural regions but Governments had better get their finger out with more reliable telecommunication connectivity, because that is whats letting a great idea down 😎🇦🇺
'the existing arrangements to be maintained' So homebound people who are unable to attend the prerequisite f2f consultation will remain excluded from telehealth access to primary care? Including 600,000 homebound due to disabilities. GregHuntMP RACGPPresident Mark_Butler_MP
This is great news! My GP is 30 mins drive away - bit of a hike if I just need a prescription repeat, so yay fir this!
Yay!
We've found telehealth handy for repeat scripts and referrals. Mum loves it as she's immune suppressed and dreaded waiting rooms and wait times to see specialists. My GP clinic, if a Dr was unwell, they'd stay home and do telehealth, leaving the other Dr's to see patients.
Fantastic! My r recently had double lung transplant and Telehealth was instrumental in staying in contact with specialists at the Alfred Hospital. The knockers are just clueless idiots
The greatest con since Peter cried wolf😎
It is not a succès at all !!