Calls for telehealth to be continued

Federal Member for Corangamite Libby Coker is eager to ensure telehealth consultation becomes a long-term option for healthcare providers.

In the early stages of the pandemic, the federal government added various Medicare items to help healthcare practitioners hold consultations via phone or video from March 13 to September 30.

The federal government stated it would consider extending these services if the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) recommends it.

Ms Coker said there were many benefits to telehealth consultations that justified an extension.

“For many in my community who live far from their local GPs, the adoption of telehealth has brought significant benefits, particularly for the elderly and the vulnerable,” she said.

“I’m very concerned that when the Medicare rebate ends many who need care won’t access it out of fear of contracting COVID-19.

“The extension should include both telephone and videoconference items to maintain access and choice for patients and providers – including those who can’t access video conferencing.”

Doctor Bernard Shiu from the Banksia Medical Centre in Newcomb said it was time telehealth became the norm in Australia.

“GPs have been advocating for telehealth for many years, long before COVID-19. It was a shame to have to take a disaster for the government to allow this modernisation to happen,” he said.

“Both the UK and in the USA, telehealth has been an integral part of primary health for many years. It does not make sense if the Australian government stops funding it now in the middle of a pandemic.

“In fact, we think it should be better funded with a strategic long-term vision how to better facilitate this service.”

Dr Shiu said he had been encouraged by how people had adapted to the services.

“At first, we all worried about if we would be able to pivot to this new style of consultation, but very quickly both GPs and patients embraced the change.

“Even for the older generation, they have been able to make good use of this service and have their care attended to largely via telephone with their GPs.”

The Australian Medical Association and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners asked the government to extend services into March 2021.