The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) welcomes Health Minister Greg Hunt’s announcement today to support the delivery of vital telehealth services to people in flood impacted communities throughout Queensland.
ACRRM President Dr Ewen McPhee says the provision of eight new Medicare item numbers will extend existing service access for communities going through drought to those recently impacted by floods.
“These people urgently need access to the services of their local doctor who in many cases may be several hours drive away,” Dr McPhee says.
“The College, together with the Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA), has been working solidly for to promote introduction of Medicare support for primary care telehealth consultations to enable rural GPs to provide mental healthcare services via telehealth to their patients.
“Properly designed telehealth services are a vital tool in getting quality medical counselling and advice to people in isolated areas and this announcement comes at a critical time for North Queensland families impacted by floods.”
The announcement is part of a health and finance package available until June 2019. It recognises that individuals and families require mental health support to work through the impact natural disasters have on their homes, lifestyle and community.
“Having the ability to receive primary health care services from their local doctor when access is difficult, makes the world of difference for rural and remote people,” Dr McPhee says.
“We welcome the Government’s response to the urgency of this situation and we look forward to permanent implementation of these arrangements so that people living in isolated areas can get the help they need when they need it from the doctor that they trust. “This is a step in the right direction.”
“It’s well known the health status of rural and remote Australians is much poorer than that of their counterparts in cities and this is one important way we can act to make improvements,” Dr McPhee says.