About Telehealth

What is Telehealth?

Telehealth is the use of technology to provide healthcare over a distance. It links you and your clinician by an audio and video connection using your computer, smart phone or tablet. It may be a suitable option for patients who:

Live in rural or remote areas
Live interstate
Have difficulty getting to a consultation due to transport or reduced mobility

If it is suitable you will get an appointment letter as usual. Instead of going to St Vincent’s Hospital, you will go to the St Vincent’s Hospital Telehealth webpage and click on "Start Video Call" to start your video consultation. Not all specialists offer telehealth consultations - sometimes it may not be appropriate. If you are interested in a telehealth consultation, speak to your St Vincent’s Hospital clinician.

How do you make a telehealth call?

For information on how to make a telehealth video call, please click on the document below. Our telehealth service is only available to patients who have a booked telehealth appointment.

Telehealth Instructions - How to make a telehealth video call

What are the advantages?

Little or no travel time
Less disruption to your life
Your home is the waiting room
Greater flexibility for appointments
Easier access to specialist care

What are the disadvantages?

Your clinician cannot physically examine you
Video consultation may not always be appropriate. Your clinician will help decide if it is right for you
Video consultations sometimes fail, although this is rare. If this occurs, you may be able to complete the consultation by phone or you may need to be re-booked

Why is my appointment a telehealth appointment?

Telehealth provides the convenience of a specialist appointment from your home. Please call us if you think telehealth is not suitable for you.

What does it cost?

There is no cost from St Vincent’s Hospital to you.

Check with your internet provider for data usage costs.

You may be asked to give your consent to bill Medicare.

How much data does a call use?

A video consultation uses about 230 MB on a mobile device and 450MB on a PC for a 20 minute call. Catch-up TV services typically use up to 300MB for a 20 minute show. You don’t use any data while waiting for your clinician.

What about your privacy?

The same privacy and confidentiality requirements that apply to face-to-face consultations apply to video consultations. Video consultations are secure, private and not recorded.

Information Booklet: Telehealth - Healthcare that comes to you