Minister for Health Sarah Courtney has releaved that there has been a huge increase in telehealth usage in recent months in Tasmania.

“From March to June 2020 there has been an incredible 1200 per cent increase in the delivery of telehealth appointments statewide,” she said.

She described telehealth as an innovative way to “deliver more care, more safely and more effectively.”

“Telehealth is all about caring for our patients in a way that suits them – saving our patients’ time, keeping them safe and improving access to services in our rural and regional areas,” she said.

Community members are able to attend facilities, like the North East Soldiers Memorial Hospital, and to have their outpatient appointment.

According to figures provided, the rapid growth has resulted in:

  • 369,000 kilometres of patient travel saved;
  • 4,488 hours of travel time saved for patients; and
  • 34 flights intra- and interstate saved.

Telehealth also allows for clinical services from the Launceston General Hospital to be delivered to inpatients in the hospital, and for community nurses to undertake clinical reviews for patients in their home.

“This is why we significantly increased our telehealth capability across the state at the start of COVID-19, with 20 virtual rooms expanded to accommodate around 5000 virtual appointments,” said Courtney

The Minister described the level of telehealth capacity in the system as ‘unprecedented’, enabling up to 500 connections at any one time.

“This is a huge achievement for our hardworking staff who pulled together these services so quickly, and I thank the Tasmanian community and our health services for embracing this innovative service delivery.”

The Australian Medical Association Tasmania (AMA) welcomed further investment into telehealth. They said that while it will never replace face to face patient-centred consultations, telehealth is key to the continuity of care and provides an excellent flexible option for those patients who need it.

The AMA was ‘very pleased’ with the speed in which telehealth was implemented to supoort high-quality patient care from both GPs and non-GP specialists.

Dr Helen McArdle AMA Tasmania President added: “I urge the Tasmanian community not to put off seeking medical advice for any health concerns they may have at this time and anytime.”

“Today’s announcement by the government of ensuring increased access to Medicare-funded telehealth services within Tasmania is reassuring as this provides the extra capability for telehealth consultations in particular via video.”