TELEHEALTH

The Paediatric Specialists offers Telehealth consultations for patients and their families who reside in rural or remote areas, or live in natural disaster areas, or in exceptional circumstances such illness or injury, those that cannot attend face-to-face consultations.

Our Telehealth consultations provide the patient and their families the same professional care as they would acquire from a face-to-face consultation.

Telehealth is a medical consultation performed by our doctors using technology as an alternative to face-to-face consultations between a patient and the doctor. It can include video, internet or telephone consultations.

The greatest benefit of Telehealth is that the patient, who resides in rural or remote areas, does not need to undertake costly and time-consuming travel to acquire specialist medical care from our doctors.

We note the following requirements:

• Telehealth must be performed in real-time. Should the patient not be available in real-time to consult with the doctor, they may reschedule their appointment providing 24 hours notice.
• Our Telehealth Consultations are only for follow-up appointments. i.e Our policy is that the Initial Appointment is required to be conducted face-to-face between one of our doctors and the patient.
• Furthermore, Telehealth should not be performed as a routine substitute for face-to-face consultations, and we recommend that on-going care must also involve face-to-face consultations with the doctor.
• Telehealth Consultations are NOT for medical emergencies nor for any serious illness requiring immediate care. If you are experiencing a medical emergency or require immediate care, please call triple-0 for Emergency Services.

Telehealth is available for patients who live in rural or remote areas, or live in natural disaster areas, or in some circumstances such illness or injury, those that cannot attend face-to-face consultations.

To find out if you are eligible, we suggest you consult with your local General Practitioner to ascertain if you are eligible for a Telehealth with one of our specialists.

Generally, our Telehealth consultations are offered via the internet, therefore a computer with a working webcam and microphone is essential for a Telehealth consultation.You will also need an internet connection and a valid email address.

At the time of the Telehealth appointment, we will email you a secure link that will enable you to launch the Telehealth videoconferencing session over an internet browser.

In exceptional circumstances, Telehealth consultations can also be offered via telephone, therefore you will require a working telephone to enable the consultation to be performed.

Our Telehealth consultation fees will vary depending on:

• the medical care required by the patient, and
• which specialist they consult with.

Please contact us at info@nullthepaediatricspecialists.com.au or call us on 02 8960 9455 to discuss Telehealth fees.

Our Telehealth Consultations require upfront payment of fees.

In order to secure your Telehealth appointment with one of our doctors, you will be required to finalise the upfront payment of the fees. Non-payment of the Upfront Fees will result in your appointment being cancelled.

If your Telehealth Consultation is cancelled by us, we will provide you with a refund of the Upfront Fees.

If you reschedule your Telehealth Consultation within 24 hours of your appointment, we will credit the new appointment with the Upfront Fees already paid, otherwise if no fees have been paid, we will require you to pay for the Upfront Fees.

If you cancel your Telehealth Consultation within 24 hours of your appointment, or re-schedule your appointment more than once, a $50 non-refundable fully out-of-pocket cancellation fee will be deducted from the refund sent to you.

In order to claim any Medicare Rebates for the Telehealth consultations, the patient must provide us with a valid Referral Letter from their General Practitioner.

Without a valid Referral Letter, the Telehealth consultation will be fully out-of-pocket for the patient.

Any applicable Medicare Rebates can be processed at the conclusion of the Telehealth Consultation.

To make a Telehealth appointment with us, please contact us on (02) 8960 9455 or email us at info@nullthepaediatricspecialists.com.au.

Our hours are Monday to Friday 8:30am – 5pm. Except Public Holidays.

We are happy to assist you with any enquiries about Telehealth.

For more information about Telehealth, click on the following link:
http://www.health.gov.au/topics/health-technologies-and-digital-health/about/telehealth