More Tasmanians will be able to access their health appointments locally with the rollout of video-enabled Computers on Wheels (CoWs).
This is part of the Hodgman Liberal Government’s commitment to providing the right clinical care in the right place at the right time.
Telehealth enables patients to take less time off work or caring responsibilities, less travel and accommodation costs, and less time spent travelling.
As part of the Telehealth Expansion Project, the Tasmanian Government is rolling out 15 units statewide, with 13 now in place and the remaining two to be finalised within weeks.
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Sixty-five new units (cameras and microphones) have also been installed in outpatient clinical consult rooms in the Royal Hobart Hospital, North West Regional Hospital, Launceston General Hospital and Mersey Community Hospital to facilitate the introduction of telehealth as an option.
In just two telehealth appointments, a patient from Smithton has avoided more than 1600 kilometres and 20 hours travel time to get to their health professional in Hobart.
Another Launceston patient avoided 1200 kilometres and 15 hours travel time over three appointments.
Video conferencing facilities are already available at many Tasmanian Health Service locations statewide, including outpatient clinics.
Patients who are required to access health services outside their geographical area can ask their doctors if their condition is clinically appropriate for telehealth.
The Telehealth Expansion project is an initiative of the Delivering Safe and Sustainable Clinical Services White Paper. It was initiated to improve patient access to health services and reduce costs of transport.