With telehealth, you can meet doctors, nurses and other health professionals through a phone or video call. This gives you another way to attend an appointment.
Appointments can be held at a hospital or at home depending on your health needs.
We're always looking to create connected care opportunities to provide more ways to support you closer to home. If you'd like to hear more, or get involved and share your thoughts email SWHHS_Board@health.qld.gov.au.
When and why we use telehealth
We use telehealth for:
- at-home patient appointments
- emergency support and advice
- inpatient ward rounds
- outpatient appointments
- transfer of clinical images for specialist advice
- supporting our staff by providing education and peer support for clinicians
- improved access to healthcare for remote communities.
Telehealth allows you to:
- get care more easily
- reduce travel time and costs
- reduce time away from work and other activities.
Getting a telehealth appointment
Ask your doctor or health professional if telehealth suits your health needs.
Going to a telehealth appointment
You can ask a family member, carer or friend to attend it with you.
Find out more about the steps needed for a telehealth appointment on the Queensland Health website.
Attend from home
If the appointment is over the phone, you'll need a phone.
If it's a video call, you'll need:
- a computer, tablet or smartphone – if your device doesn't have video or audio, you'll also need a webcam, headset or speakers
- Internet access.
On your appointment day, you'll get an email or text message with a video link to use.
Technical support
If your appointment is at your home using your device, technical support is available to help you with any problems that may occur.
Find out more about telehealth on the Queensland Health website.
Attend from a health facility or clinic
If you go to a Queensland Health facility or your doctor's office for a video call, the staff will help with the equipment.
Before your appointment, the nurse will tell you what to expect during the call. They may take your blood pressure, temperature and do other tests. They may also sit in the room and help you during your appointment.
After your appointment, your health professional will update your health records.