A recent patient survey into the use of Emergency Telehealth Service has generated outstanding feedback for the high-definition videoconferencing service.
Patients said Telehealth, which is used to link people in rural and remote areas to a range of clinicians in the State’s major hospitals and health services, saves time and money and is far more convenient than city visits.
Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region Dave Grills MLC said more than 15,000 country patients had used the Telehealth service for outpatient appointments in the past year and the service was continuing to grow as people heard how convenient it was.
“It makes a big difference when regional and remote patients are able to see their specialist via videoconference from their local hospital and not have to make arrangements to leave family and work, travel for hours, and find accommodation,” Mr Grills said.
“The overwhelming feedback was that patients who attended an appointment via Telehealth were very happy with the ease and quality of the service.
“It is clear Telehealth staff at the regional health services are seen by regional patients as professional and supportive and that using the Telehealth service is far better than having to travel to the city or a regional centre.”
Almost all patients said the service was as effective as a face-to-face appointment and that speaking with their specialist from a regional site saved them time and money.
Nationals WA candidate for Kalgoorlie Tony Crook said the expansion of Telehealth was just one example of the State Government’s significant investment in regional health care through Royalties for Regions.
“The response that 99 per cent of those surveyed would recommend the Telehealth service is a pretty clear indication of the success of this investment,” Mr Crook said.
In 2015-16, there were almost 33,500 occasions of clinical service delivered by Telehealth. This comprises more than 16,500 emergency treatments, more than 5000 mental health appointments and almost 12,000 outpatient treatments.
Royalties for Regions has invested $31 million into Telehealth, as part of the $500 million Southern Inland Health Initiative.
For more information, please visit wacountry.health.wa.gov.au/southerninland.
For media enquiries contact Dave Grills MLC on (08) 90711 500 or email dave.grills@mp.wa.gov.au
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