Leading up to the Federal Budget and election, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) urges all political parties to commit to extending the current MBS telehealth rebates to General Practice (GP) consultations for patients in rural and remote areas.
ACRRM President Dr Ewen McPhee says the College recognises digital health has the potential to improve access to a range of healthcare services for people living in rural and remote areas.
“ACRRM strongly supports further investment in digital health to foster innovation and the adoption of strategies and services to improve health outcomes for people in rural and remote communities,” Dr McPhee says.
“This investment should promote the delivery of high-quality continuity of care for rural and remote patients and support Rural Generalists in areas including clinical advice and professional development.
“People living in rural and remote locations are often forced to travel long distances to visit their Rural Generalist, and this impacts on their ability to seek appropriate and timely care.
“Extending MBS telehealth rebates to consultations will allow rural and remote patients to consult their Rural Generalist for services such as chronic disease management, follow-up, and health care advice. “It will also allow Rural Generalists to work more efficiently in providing these services to their regular patients.”
As well as promoting access to high-quality continuity of care for rural patients, Dr McPhee says it is essential any MBS rebates for GP item numbers support rural and remote practitioners and the sustainability of rural practices.
“However, telehealth should always be regarded as an enhancement and not as a replacement for face-to-face services provided by local doctors.
“The MBS item numbers should be developed in close consultation with the College; the Rural Doctors Association of Australia and other relevant stakeholders,” he says.