New 24/7 Telehealth Service Announced in New Zealand
New Zealand Health Minister Simeon Brown has unveiled plans for a new 24/7 telehealth service aimed at expanding access to primary care and alleviating the strain on emergency departments.
The government has committed to investing in this service, which will allow all New Zealanders to have access to video consultations with registered clinicians, such as GPs and nurse practitioners. Patients will also be able to receive prescriptions and referrals for laboratory tests through this platform.
Te Whatu Ora has announced that the 24/7 telehealth service is scheduled to launch in July.
The Larger Context
In addition to the telehealth service, Minister Brown has outlined various initiatives to improve primary care access in New Zealand. This includes a NZ$285 million investment in general practice over three years, recruitment of overseas doctors, and incentives for primary care providers to hire nurses.
Minister Brown emphasized the need for these measures, stating that despite record funding in healthcare, many New Zealanders still struggle to secure appointments with their GPs, leading to increased pressure on emergency departments.
The announcement of the telehealth service comes in the wake of a report by New Zealand’s Health Quality and Safety Commission, which highlighted the challenges and limitations of telehealth in the country. The commission found that telehealth had not gained significant popularity in New Zealand, even during the pandemic, and questioned its sustainability as a solution for improving access to care.
Prior to the commission’s report, the government had ceased funding for certain free telehealth services, including those related to COVID-19, as part of broader cost-cutting measures.
