Canberrans requiring outpatient services will soon be able to access their appointment from home using a simple-to-use Telehealth Service video call.
Minister for Health, Rachel Stephen-Smith said the service would initially be rolled out to Canberra Health Services (CHS) outpatients, with Calvary Public Hospital Bruce to follow.
“Hundreds of CHS outpatient appointments have taken place by telephone in recent weeks in line with social distancing measures,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.
“The Telehealth video technology takes this service a step further,” she said.
“This service will also assist patients who may be self-isolating, in quarantine and those who are in high risk groups, such as elderly and immune suppressed people, to continue to get the health care they need.”
Ms Stephen-Smith said Telehealth services would complement the existing face-to-face appointments, not replace them.
“This is an important and necessary step to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community and to help hospitals and clinics to keep their staff safe,” she said.
Chief Information Officer at ACT Health, Peter O’Halloran said the Telehealth platform was very easy to use and did not require special software.
Mr O’Halloran said the technology was already widely used throughout the country and met security requirements under Australian privacy law.
He said clinicians from Canberra Health Services would begin to use Telehealth from 27 April.
