JOINT RELEASE: Reinstatement of telehealth measures will help rural health services during Omicron wave

Rural doctors have welcomed today’s announcement by the Federal Government that a number of Medicare items for telehealth that were available earlier in the COVID pandemic will be reinstated until 30 June to support GPs and Consultant Specialists in providing care during the Omicron wave.

The Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) and Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) said the measures will greatly assist rural GPs, Rural Generalists and rural Consultant Specialists to care for patients while also reducing the spread of Omicron.

The Government’s announcement is in response to requests made to the Government last week by the four GP peak bodies – RDAA, ACRRM, the AMA and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), as well as the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) – to ensure general practice is well placed to continue to provide quality care as the pandemic continues.

RDAA President, Dr Megan Belot said: “Patients who have contracted Omicron may have experienced milder symptoms but Australia has experienced the highest case numbers seen so far in the pandemic, which is putting significant pressure on all levels of the health system.

“Omicron’s impact has also extended significantly to rural and remote areas, impacting on the ability of rural health services to operate at full capacity.

“Telehealth enables patients to still access care, while also providing a layer of protection to other patients and health professionals, by reducing instances of exposure.

“We are very pleased that the Government has listened to our concerns, and taken action on this issue following the meeting our organisations had with Ministers Hunt and Gillespie last Wednesday.

“This measure will make a significant difference in slowing down the transmission of Omicron and helping to keep rural health services open and adequately staffed.”

ACRRM President, Dr Sarah Chalmers, said: “Today’s announcement is good news for rural patients. The return of a range of Medicare items such as the long telehealth phone consultation will enable GPs and Rural Generalists to provide care to their patients at a stage of the pandemic when many of our rural communities are experiencing COVID outbreaks for the first time.

“The inclusion of this telehealth item is certainly one that will ensure rural patients are able to access the care they need with their GP as we go through this wave of the pandemic.

“This six month extension should see us through the current Omicron wave and also provide time for doctors and practices to review their telehealth models, as we now know what the structure of permanent telehealth will be.

“Today’s announcement also includes funding for more than 20 million units of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for GPs, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services and GP Respiratory Clinics in rural, regional and remote areas, which has long been needed.

“For rural patients and rural doctors in particular, we now await a commitment from the Government on key issues such as prioritisation for supply and distribution of Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs), and aligning supplies of PPE to fit testing specifications for healthcare providers so we are able to keep our communities safe and keep the doors to rural general practice open and provide care.

“We are working with the Government to get priority supply for rural areas when more RAT kits arrive in Australia, and will closely monitor developments in this regard.

“If we don’t protect our rural GPs, Rural Generalists and nurses we will see not just one part of the health system under pressure, but the whole health service in a community collapse – particularly as Rural Generalists provide general practice care, residential aged care and hospital services including emergency, maternity and in-patient care.

“Keeping telehealth accessible and increasing the supply of PPE will assist us greatly in protecting these rural health professionals.”

RDAA and ACRRM have urged all Australians, including those travelling over the holidays, to get vaccinated, isolate and get tested for COVID at the earliest onset of symptoms, and continue to   isolate until they receive a negative result.

“If you are feeling unwell you will be able to have a telehealth consultation with your regular GP”
Dr Belot said.

“We also urge patients who test positive to COVID, but have mild symptoms, to use the online www.healthdirect.gov.au symptom checker as they monitor their own health at home.

“But we also remind everyone to seek urgent medical help if their symptoms get worse.”

Available for interview:
Dr Megan Belot, RDAA President
Dr Sarah Chalmers, ACRRM President
Peta Rutherford, RDAA CEO

Media contact:
Peta Rutherford (RDAA) – 0427 638 374
Petrina Smith (ACRRM) - 0414 820 847