GPs and paediatricians in Shepparton can save their young patients a five-hour roundtrip to Melbourne by using The Royal Children’s Hospital’s (RCH) Telehealth Program, which enables patients and their local clinicians to connect with its paediatric specialists via a video link.

RCH Developmental Medicine paediatrician Dr Kate Thomson Bowe said the Telehealth video consults improve health outcomes by promoting better communication between multiple clinicians involved in patient’s care. They also save patients and their families time and money by reducing the need to travel long distances for medical appointments.

“Under the Telehealth Program, the patient’s local doctor continues to be their main healthcare professional but they then also have easy access to sub-speciality services, for instance a paediatric cardiologist,” Dr Thomson said.

“Telehealth also provides excellent learning opportunities through up-skilling local clinicians and co-consultation with sub-specialists,” she said.

In Shepparton, the Judd family has been one of Telehealth’s beneficiaries. Janet Judd’s 12-year-old son Tom has cerebral palsy and her family make numerous trips to Melbourne each year for his appointments at the RCH.

“Tom has a complex condition and requires medical care from around 12 different health professionals. We also have to make the five-hour return trip to the RCH for appointments up to six times a year, which means a full day off school for Tom and time away from work for us. It also takes a toll financially with travel costs,” Janet said.

“Telehealth has been amazing for us. Not only does it save us the long trip, it means that our local paediatrician can also be involved in consultations with our RCH doctors, which is a huge benefit for Tom and the level of care he is given. And we don’t even need to leave the house.”

RCH Telehealth Program Manager Susan Jury encouraged Shepparton GPs and paediatricians to use the program, saying the only requirement to take part was to have a computer with internet access and a webcam. Clinicians who register for the program before June 30 this year are also be eligible for start-up incentives of up to  $3,600 through Medicare.

“So now is the time to get involved,” Susan said.

Local specialists have supported the initiative. Shepparton paediatrician, Dr Peter Eastaugh, said Telehealth can give patients access to complex sub-specialty services that, in many cases, would not otherwise be available.

Director of Paediatrics at Goulburn Valley Health, Dr Dan Garrick, agreed. “For complex patients who need more specialised care, Telehealth is invaluable as it provides both the patient and doctor with access to the level of care and medical support required.”

Find out more about Telehealth here.