The Andrews Labor Government is investing in a pioneering project that uses telehealth to make it easier for patients living in Gippsland to attend an outpatient appointment at home or at their local GP.
Minister for Health, Jill Hennessy, today announced the first 15 projects receiving funding from the new $10 million Better Care Victoria Innovation Fund.
Better Care Victoria, launched in March this year and led by an independent board chaired by former AMA President Dr Douglas Travis, will drive innovation across the health system to improve patient care and treatment.
The $10 million Better Care Victoria fund will support projects that improve the efficiency and productivity of our health system, improve patient outcomes and reduce waiting times.
As part of the first round of funding, Latrobe Regional Hospital will receive $239,800 to expand its telehealth service that provides outpatient paediatric diabetes and heart failure consultations online.
Using telehealth, patients living 15km or more from the hospital will be able attend specialist consultations from the comfort of their own home or local GP clinic, saving on travel and accommodation costs.
Better Care Victoria was a key recommendation from the Travis Review, the most comprehensive audit ever undertaken into the capacity of Victoria’s hospitals.
The Victorian Budget 2016/17 delivered an extra $2.45 billion for health, so hospitals can admit more patients, reduce waiting times, upgrade buildings and infrastructure and keep Victorians healthy.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy
“We know we need to do things differently to drive improvement. Our Better Care Victoria fund will support new ideas across the health system so more patients in Gippsland and beyond will benefit.”
“Victoria is home to some of the best and brightest clinical minds. We are drawing on this expertise to find new, more effective ways to treat more patients, sooner.”
Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing
“Here in Gippsland, our investment will mean more families will be able to access vital specialist care and advice - when they need it - without having to endure long travel and wait times.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020