Inquiry call on rural telehealth

MALLEE MP Anne Webster has called for a public inquiry into the future of digital healthcare.

The shadow assistant minister for regional health said that in the middle of Australia’s healthcare crisis, solutions were needed to help provide Australians, particularly in regional centres, with timely access to primary healthcare.

“Digital healthcare is a crucial tool that fills an important gap for all Australians, but particularly for those in the regions who are hit the hardest by health workforce shortages,” she said.

“The primary healthcare system is being stretched thin, telehealth alleviates the risk for patients ... Regional communities often do not have reasonable access to healthcare, which highlights the need for telehealth.”