❓ Details the commencement, cost, usage, and communication strategies of the Royalties for Regions funded Telstra ReadyCare telehealth trial in WA, along with progress on Medicare Benefits Schedule funding for telehealth.
AnsweredQoN 769Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Royalties for Regions funded trial of Telstra ReadyCare, and I ask: (a) when did the trial commence and conclude; (b) what was the total cost of the trial; (c) how many eligible calls were made to ReadyCare during the trial; (d) please identify the number of eligible calls by Western Australia Country Health Service sub-region; (e) how was the service communicated and marketed to eligible regional users; and (f) what progress has been made to seek amendment by the Australian Government to the Medicare Benefits Schedule funding of technology enabled health care solutions?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
10 April 2018
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Health
Response time
9 days
I am advised that:
(a) The initial trial of the ReadyCare GP telehealth pilot commenced on 1 April 2016 and concluded on 31 March 2017. The pilot was extended to 30 June 2017 (pilot extension). Since completion of the pilot, the 1800 CallADoc service for five country regions in Western Australia has continued to be funded by the WA Primary Health Alliance.
(b) The initial trial cost $720,000 including $100,000 from WACHS Southern Inland Health Initiative funded from RfR, excluding GST. The pilot extension was funded by WA Primary Health Alliance and not included in the initial trial cost.
(c) ReadyCare conducted 532 consultations between 1 April 2016 and 30 June 2017.
(d) Proportion of ReadyCare consultations during this period by WACHS regions:
Region
%
Goldfields
3%
Great Southern
4%
Midwest
72%
South West
12%
Wheatbelt
8%
Outside trial area
1%
(e) The following communication and marketing was conducted over the trial period:
(f) Correspondence and discussion has occurred between Rural Health West (RHW), WA GP Education and Training Ltd (WAGPET), WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) and Commonwealth representatives.
(a) The initial trial of the ReadyCare GP telehealth pilot commenced on 1 April 2016 and concluded on 31 March 2017. The pilot was extended to 30 June 2017 (pilot extension). Since completion of the pilot, the 1800 CallADoc service for five country regions in Western Australia has continued to be funded by the WA Primary Health Alliance.
(b) The initial trial cost $720,000 including $100,000 from WACHS Southern Inland Health Initiative funded from RfR, excluding GST. The pilot extension was funded by WA Primary Health Alliance and not included in the initial trial cost.
(c) ReadyCare conducted 532 consultations between 1 April 2016 and 30 June 2017.
(d) Proportion of ReadyCare consultations during this period by WACHS regions:
Region
%
Goldfields
3%
Great Southern
4%
Midwest
72%
South West
12%
Wheatbelt
8%
Outside trial area
1%
(e) The following communication and marketing was conducted over the trial period:
(f) Correspondence and discussion has occurred between Rural Health West (RHW), WA GP Education and Training Ltd (WAGPET), WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) and Commonwealth representatives.
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