HiNZ eHealthNews
15 July 2024
NEWS - eHealthNews.nz editor Rebecca McBeth
A free online doctor service provided by Whakarongorau Aotearoa / New Zealand Telehealth Services has lost funding as part of changes to the Covid-19 response.
Martin Hefford, director living well at Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora confirmed funding has been pulled from three virtual care services provided by Whakarongorau.
These are; a non-public facing clinical line for health professionals, free doctor support via Healthline, and the Covid Healthline.
“This is because as New Zealand has moved beyond the Covid-19 pandemic response, demand for specific Covid-related services – including some telehealth services – has reduced over time,” he says.
eHealthNews previously reported that doctors at Whakarongorau were providing telehealth consultations and writing prescriptions for people left without access to a GP due to Cyclone Gabrielle.
The online doctors also provided care for people who are not registered with a GP or were having difficulty seeing their doctor, as well as supporting ambulance crews to help keep patients safely at home.
To read more, click HERE
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