The launch of the Anywhere Healthcare service in Tasmania today will revolutionise the way Australians living in regional and remote areas access medical specialists.
Anywhere Healthcare is an innovative video-enabled healthcare service delivering rapid access to specialist care. The new service will assist people living in regional and remote areas who face significant challenges accessing the specialist care they need. Long waiting lists, travel and accommodation costs and the need to take time out of already busy lives to access specialist services are all barriers to receiving appropriate & continuous specialist care.
Anywhere Healthcare is the only telehealth solution that can help overcome these issues through its dedicated, credentialed panel of specialists. GPs and their patients have rapid access to unlimited appointments each week with a range of specialists including paediatricians, psychiatrists, dermatologists, an endocrinologist and general physician. More specialists will be added as required to meet demand.
The service has been built around a GP centric model of care that brings GPs, their patients and the Specialists together to deliver continuity of care and better health outcomes. Specialists discuss symptoms, provide medical advice, review patients' clinical information, and diagnose and prescribe medications using two-way video, secure text chat or phone.
"We are delighted to launch Anywhere Healthcare in Tasmania. This innovative service has been operating in Queensland and Darwin and is now available to all GPs in regional and remote Australia," explained Dr Ian Boyd from Anywhere Healthcare.
"Accessing specialist medical services in regional and remote areas of Australia can be difficult, but through Anywhere Healthcare's virtual healthcare clinic, patients can access specialist services without having to wait a long time for an appointment or travel long distances," he said.
"One of the big advantages for patients is the Commonwealth Government telehealth funding available to GPs and their patients who reside in regional areas. This funding subsidises the cost of the consultation.
"The response from patients and GPs has been overwhelmingly positive. A big difference is that Anywhere Healthcare provides the first telehealth solution that has a dedicated panel of specialists available for consultations," Dr Boyd added.
Dr Jane Zimmerman said, "With Anywhere Healthcare it's like I have a panel of local specialists available to patients in my practice. It assists me to better meet the needs of my patients - they have faster access to specialists so their health concerns can be treated earlier and they can start treatment sooner."
Alex Abey said, "I was very pleased with Anywhere Healthcare. I was able to go to our local GP right here in town and have access to a specialist who I might otherwise have not been able to see. It means I can see my specialist without having to wait months or pay expensive fees."
GPs can find out more information and contact the Anywhere Healthcare team at anywherehealthcare.com.au or on 1800 822 940.
Anywhere Healthcare is delivered by Medibank, through its health care division, Medibank Health Solutions. Medibank Health Solutions provides healthcare advice and treatment to millions of Australians every day, irrespective of whether they have private health insurance or not.
Anywhere Healthcare is available to all Australian's regardless of whether they are Medibank members or not.
About Anywhere Healthcare
Anywhere Healthcare has been specifically designed to help overcome the obstacles many rural and regional residents face in getting timely and convenient access to medical specialists.
Anyone living in regional Australia can hold a live video consultation with a specialist from their local GP clinic with assistance from their own doctor or the practice nurse. Patients are bulk billed.
Anywhere Healthcare uses a platform that is purpose built for medical consultations. It is easy to use, effective and can manage millions of online care consultations every year.
We offer consultations with:
- Dermatologists
- General Physician
- Paediatricians
- Psychiatrists
- Endocrinologist
- Geriatrician
About Medibank Health Solutions:
Medibank Health Solutions offers innovative and cost-effective healthcare services to business and government. Drawing on more than 35 years' experience, working in partnership with over 4,000 businesses and government organisations, we help Australians to better manage their health.
Our team of over 1,500 medical and allied health professionals provide more than 3 million healthcare interactions a year, by telephone, online and from our Australia-wide network of clinics:
video enabled healthcare services
- telephone and web-based health advice, coaching and counselling, around the clock, seven days a week
- travel health for consumers and business
- visa medical assessments
- workplace healthcare.