The National Rural Health Commissioner has released an update on how telehealth services help rural communities.
The Commissioner, Ruth Stewart acknowledged the grief and loss experienced by the families featured in the 60 Minutes program aired on TV Sunday, 6 December.
“When a death occurs, it is extremely distressing for everybody involved,” Professor Stewart said.
“My heart goes out to the families and friends and communities whose stories were told by 60 minutes,” she said.
Professor Stewart said the program mentioned that telehealth was replacing doctors in rural communities.
“Telehealth is a great tool which rural medical practitioners have used for years and it proved its value during the COVID-19 restrictions, particularly for people living in rural and regional parts of Australia,” the Commissioner said.
“Telehealth is designed to enhance face-to-face consultation by connecting patients with providers when a direct face-to-face consultation is not possible to achieve,” she said.
Professor Stewart said telehealth may not be appropriate for all patients and sometimes the doctor and the patient needed to physically be in the same place.
She said it was fortunate for rural and remote communities that times were changing, with a number of innovative models of care being trialled in western NSW.
She said that next financial year her Office would support the development of other models of care designed for and by rural health professionals and communities.
“My Office is working to implement the recommendations for a National Rural Generalist Pathway,” Professor Stewart said.
“This Pathway will increase the numbers of doctors who have the skills, and support to work in small rural and remote communities and hospitals.”
She said the Pathway would provide a coordinated, structured, and efficient medical training to a nationally recognised standard.
“Because of this Pathway we can look forward to a time when we see an increase in the number of skilled and competent health professionals who work in, live in, and contribute to rural communities,” the Commissioner said.
