15NRHC Recommendation - 03/27/2019 - 09:40

A holistic approach be taken by all parties to address the identified barriers to Telehealth access:
Barriers to telehealth:
- Inadequate internet service and data allowances.
-Unreliable telecommunications and equipment.
-Consultations not being billable to Medicare (including GP and Nurse/Aboriginal Health Professional consults).
-Some clinicians (including specialists) not providing services via telehealth.
-The lack of funding for patient-end support.
As "one size does not fit all' locally based multi-disciplinary teams could be established using PHN funding, but driven/populated by local key consumers (not government departments) and supported by the Australian Digital Health Agency. For RRR areas NBN Co, Telstra and other relevant telcos should be answerable to these groups and be made to address telecommunications issues and inequities.