Where a health provider cannot see a patient in person, virtual or telehealth consultations done by via phone or video can be useful, including during times of emergency and natural disasters.
Beyond the benefits realised during the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth can increase access to primary care for vulnerable populations, feelings of privacy, convenience by reducing travel costs and provide an opportunity for greater collaboration between multidisciplinary teams.
Although there are many different video conference systems are available, Murray PHN has partnered with healthdirect to provide general practices in the region with free licensing to access the healthdirect video call service platform. While general practices are not obligated to use healthdirect for their video calls, practices must ensure that their chosen video consultation system meets clinical requirements and satisfies privacy laws.
Healthdirect Video Call is also the preferred platform for virtual/telehealth care consulting for Victorian publicly funded health services (hospitals, community health services, maternal health services) because it provides a secure, reliable service that uses common smart devices (mobile phone, tablet, or computer) and is designed to complement clinical workflows that are familiar to providers and patients.
Healthdirect Video Call is a comprehensive, reliable and secure video conferencing service purpose-built for health consultations which follows national cyber security guidelines and safeguards privacy.
Accessed via the internet, it is available to consumers from their home, work or wherever is most convenient and that has a good internet connection, using a smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer – there are no software or application downloads necessary.
Healthdirect Video Call uses military-grade platform powered by Coviu, a spin-off from the CSIRO’s Data61 digital innovation project.
Healthdirect Video Call is browser-based and can be accessed by clinicians and patients via Google Chrome, Apple Safari, Microsoft Edge Chromium or Firefox on a Windows/Mac PC, smartphone or tablet. It works on low internet bandwidths — 3G/4G or ADSL is sufficient.
With no software downloads, healthdirect Video Call follows the applicable Australian Government Information Security Manual (ISM) for cyber security guidelines and safeguards privacy by leaving no digital footprint. While other video consultation platforms may store details of the call, including the call recording; healthdirect leaves no digital ‘trail’ or patient digital footprints behind on the platform as all patient data is purged from the platform database after the call.
This program is for general practitioners working in private practice and/or Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs). The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care has funded free licences for GPs to support the use of GP MBS Telehealth items for COVID-19.
All GPs with licences under the PHN Video Call Service Pilot Program have been transitioned to the new GP COVID-19 Program and will have free licence access to Video Call until the program funding ends on 31 December 2024.
The current eligibility criteria for access to the Service Pilot Program provides Video Call licenses free of charge for use by non-GP type primary care services. These are classed as mental health, aged care, maternity, Indigenous health and allied health services, including:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners and workers
Chiropractors
Clinical psychologists and psychiatrists
Diabetes educators
Exercise physiologists and occupational therapists
If you would like the Murray PHN’s digital health team to set up your practice up with a free license, or you have an existing license and would like refresher training on how to use Healthdirect to its full advantage e: digitalhealth@murrayphn.org.au
Leadership
Collaboration
Respect
Accountability
Innovation
Murray PHN acknowledges its catchment crosses over many unceded First Nations Countries, following the Dhelkunya Yaluk (Healing River).
We pay our respects and give thanks to the Ancestors, Elders and Young people for their nurturing, protection and caregiving of these sacred lands and waterways, acknowledging their continuing cultural, spiritual and educational practices.
We are grateful for the sharing of Country and the renewal that Country gives us. We acknowledge and express our sorrow that this sharing has come at a personal, spiritual and cultural cost to the wellbeing of First Nations peoples. We commit to addressing the injustices of colonisation across our catchment, and to listening to the wisdom of First Nations communities who hold the knowledge to enable healing. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Leadership 
Collaboration 
Respect 
Accountability 
Innovation