The Federal Government $620m “Connecting Health Services with the Future” initiative offers doctors up-front payments and rebates to encourage video conferencing.

Telstra today launched a new range of easy-to-use devices and software to make it easier for GPs to take up the Government incentives.

Announcing Telstra’s new range of Telehealth videoconferencing bundles, Telstra Business Group managing director Will Irving said patients could be assured consultations were private.

“Consultations using Telstra’s Telehealth solutions are fully secure from end to end so patients can be confident their privacy is maintained,” Will says.

The systems have been extensively tested to ensure they are compatible with a typical medical consultation. For example, one added feature is a “virtual waiting room” if a doctor is delayed.

“Video conferencing can change the face of rural medicine for patients, their specialists and GPs,” Will says.

“Where appropriate as an alternative to an in-person consultation, it can save patients hours or even days of travel for what might be an appointment of a just few minutes. It can also make better use of a specialist’s time.

“As GPs are part of the consultation, it gives them the opportunity to work closely with specialists, improving their access to advanced knowledge and continuing education.

“Many doctors can take advantage of it today with existing broadband and even more will be able to with the roll-out of the NBN.”

Telehealth Starter can be installed on a doctor’s own PC. A second system, Telehealth Professional is a stand-alone unit and can be used with a PC or Mac to share images or other medical records during a video consultation.

Mr Irving said Australians in regional and rural areas should ask their GP if their practice qualified for Government incentives, which not only cover the bush but fringe metropolitan areas.

“Specialist healthcare is thinly spread outside metropolitan areas and where appropriate, videoconferencing will be an invaluable supplement to face-to-face consultations,” Will says.