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11.55am 29 March 2020

Originally Posted by Sydney Morning Herald

UNIVERSAL TELEHEALTH ACCESS TO ROLL OUT ON MONDAY

BY FERGUS HUNTER

There will be universal telehealth access from tomorrow under the package announced by the government.
People will be able to contact their GP, specialist, psychiatrist, psychologist and other health professionals on the phone or video conferencing platforms rather than attending an in-person appointment.
Speaking in Canberra, Health Minister Greg Hunt said “everything which can be done by telehealth will be done by telehealth” but it was important that face-to-face consultations continued where necessary.
Deputy chief medical officer Michael Kidd said the health system was undergoing unprecedented and “dramatic” change.
“In a pandemic, one of the greatest risks to the population is if we see a collapse of healthcare services, with people with acute and chronic conditions, with mental health conditions, not getting access to the services they need,” he said.
“The measures put in place will ensure that the people of Australia continue to have access to high-quality general practice and other healthcare services available from their chosen providers.”