Consult doctors without leaving home

A new telehealth program will enable older Australians with cancer and those in palliative care to regularly consult their doctor even if they are hundreds of kilometres away.

The $20.6 million pilot program will start in July and use the national broadband network to deliver health services to older Australians.

More reliable in delivering e-health services, the program will reportedly “transform” the way health care is delivered in Australia – particularly in rural and remote areas.

Federal Health Minister Tanya Plibersek says the National Broadband Network (NBN) will allow a patient to receive medical consultations and healthy living support in the home and doctors will be able to take blood pressure online.

There are hopes the government’s telehealth system will connect aged care facilities, homes, doctor surgeries, pharmacies, clinics and allied health professionals.

Applications to participate in the program will open in the next two months.