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9228 8339

Telehealth Consultations

Telehealth consultations are available at our central Perth clinic.
  • We mainly provide face to face consultations.
  • We encourage Telehealth appointments for certain situations.
  • To receive a Medicare rebate for your Telehealth consultation, you may need to establish or maintain an existing relationship with us.

GP Telehealth Appointment Perth

A Telehealth appointment allows you to have a GP consultation via phone or video call. This is a convenient solution when you can’t see a doctor in person.

At Northbridge Medical Centre, you can still have face-to-face consultations. While some things require an in-person visit, we offer Telehealth appointments for patients who prefer it or can’t come to our clinic. To get a Medicare rebate for a Telehealth consultation, we usually require that you establish or maintain an existing relationship with us.

If you’re new to our centre, please call our receptionist for more details at (08) 9228 8339. Existing patients can book a Telehealth appointment online with their GP.

Reducing Infection Risks with Telehealth

Telehealth consultations are helpful in reducing the risk of spreading viral infections, particularly with respiratory illnesses like influenza (flu), RSV, and COVID-19.

If you are unwell with COVID-19 symptoms, please advise us and DO NOT attend the medical centre in person. Please book a Telehealth appointment or speak to our receptionist for appropriate methods of consultation.

Please do not attend the medical centre in person if:

  • You have symptoms of fever, chills, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, change in sense of smell or taste

Convenient Telehealth Consultations in Perth

At Northbridge Medical Centre, we understand that Telehealth is an efficient and convenient way to access treatment. There are certain scenarios or types of consultation where Telehealth appointments are more appropriate than in person.

The friendly reception staff or doctors at Northbridge Medical Centre can provide further details. Our doctors will also recommend Telehealth consultations in certain patient groups or for follow up / results appointments.

Booking a Telehealth appointment

  • Book your Telehealth consultation online or call our practice to book on (08) 9228 8339.
  • Our reception staff will contact you to discuss fees and the payment method.
  • Your doctor will call you on the phone number provided around the scheduled consultation time.
  • During the phone consultation, your doctor may suggest a video conference or request an in-person visit for further examination or treatment.
  • If necessary, your doctor will guide you on collecting test samples. Pathology lab staff may call you to direct you to the nearest lab for self-collection kits and blood tests.

The cost of Telehealth in Perth

  • Northbridge Medical Centre is a private billing practice.
  • The consultation fees for Telehealth are the same as face to face consultation fees. Read through our Fees and Policies for more details.
  • Medicare claims can be submitted by reception staff after the consultation and Medicare will deposit the rebate into your linked bank account.

Telehealth Medicare rebate for new patients

To get a Medicare rebates for Telehealth consultations, you usually need to have visited our medical centre in person within the past 12 months. However, there are some exceptions, and our reception staff can provide more information.

We encourage new patients to visit Northbridge Medical Centre for their first face-to-face consultation to establish the required existing relationship. Current patients who haven’t visited in person in the past year are also encouraged to come in to maintain their access to Telehealth services.

 

Telehealth Consultations for COVID-19

What to do if you have tested positive to COVID-19

Most COVID positive patients are unlikely to get severe disease requiring hospitalisation.  Most patients can manage their symptoms at home with the guidance of their doctor.

If you have tested positive to COVID-19:

It is important to inform your doctor about your positive COVID-19 results. This is best done by booking a Telehealth consultation with your GP online.

The role of your doctor in managing COVID-19 at home

Your doctor will be responsible for the following:

  • Review any underlying pre-existing disease
  • Identify any risk factors for developing severe disease
  • Assess the severity of the COVID-19 disease
  • Providing treatment for associated symptoms
  • Providing oral antiviral medications to patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 who has high risk of developing severe disease, in order to reduce their need for hospital admission
  • Management of underlying medical condition and providing mental health support
  • Providing a home COVID-19 action plan and explain the use of daily symptom diary
  • Schedule regular Telehealth check-ups
  • Early detection of deterioration requiring hospital admission

Ensuring COVID-19 vaccinations are up to date.

Red Flags for severe COVID-19 symptoms

The following symptoms may indicate worsening severity of your COVID-19 disease. If you develop any of the following symptoms, inform your doctor or call emergency services on 000.

  • If your pulse oximeter oxygen level is 92% or less
  • Worsening shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • becoming short of breath even when resting
  • Blue lips or face
  • Chest pain
  • Your skin is cold, clammy or pale
  • Severe headaches or dizziness
  • Having faints or collapse
  • Being more confused
  • Unable to get out of bed
  • Little or no urine output
  • Coughing up blood

Telehealth Suitability

Reasons why you or your doctor may choose to consult via Telehealth

There are certain scenarios or types of consultations where Telehealth appointments are more appropriate.

Some reasons you may choose or be required to have a Telehealth consultation include:

  • You have tested positive for COVID-19 or are waiting for COVID-19 test results
  • You are unable to attend face to face consultation due to personal reasons or location reasons
  • You are requesting a straightforward consultation such as obtaining repeat scripts or following up results

The following are some of the common scenarios where our doctors may suggest Telehealth consultation:

  • Elderly patients or vulnerable patients with multiple chronic illness or immunosuppression
  • Subsequent follow up appointment or appointment to discuss results
  • Monitoring patients between face-to-face consultations

Benefits of Telehealth Appointments

There are a wide range of Telehealth benefits, including:

  • Convenience: Consult with your GP from home
  • Reduced Infection Risk: Lowers the risk of contracting infectious diseases, including COVID-19
  • Improved Connectivity: Fosters a better relationship between patients and doctors, improving continuity and quality of care
  • Increased Access: Provides more opportunities for consultations between in-person visits
  • Remote Accessibility: Allows patients living or working in remote or rural areas to receive care

What are the privacy requirements for Telehealth?

All medical practices providing Telehealth consultation must comply with privacy obligations when delivering these services. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) ensures that the general privacy and information security requirements for remote consultation are the same as the requirement as face-to-face consultation.

  • Northbridge Medical Centre ensures confidentiality of patients and the security of telecommunication services
  • Doctors will be providing the services from a private and secure location
  • Prior to making an appointment, patient consent to receiving a Telehealth consultation is obtained
  • Patient's identity is verified and identity of anyone else in attendance is verified
  • Northbridge Medical Centre ensures the security of medical records and patient information
  • Patient's consent is obtained prior to sending prescription or other information

Telehealth Consultations for Sexual Health & Blood-borne Viruses

Northbridge Medical Centre is committed to providing high-quality care by offering both in-clinic and Telehealth services for sexual health. We provide easily accessible STD and STI consultations and screenings via Telehealth.

Suitable Scenarios for Telehealth:

  • Routine sexual health checks without symptoms
  • Consultations for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), including scripts and tests
  • Unusual discharge from the genitals or anus
  • Pain during sex or urination
  • Abnormal or unusual vaginal bleeding, especially after having sex
  • Pain in the scrotum or testicles

Scenarios Not Ideal for Telehealth (initial consultation may still be done via Telehealth):

  • Lumps and bumps on the genitals
  • Sores, blisters, ulcers, warts or rashes in the genital area
  • Situations requiring procedural treatments such as cryotherapy or antibiotic injections

Sexual Health Consultation Process:

Your doctor will discuss your sexual history, recommend tests based on your symptoms, and prescribe treatments as needed. Tests may include urine samples and self-swabs, with results typically available within 3 to 7 days. Certain conditions may warrant a clinical examination or additional swabs. It is crucial to schedule a follow-up appointment to review your results and ensure treatment effectiveness. Note that HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis tests may take up to 12 weeks to show results.

Book Your GP Telehealth Appointment Online

Take advantage of the convenience and safety benefits offered with Telehealth appointments at our Perth clinic. Contact us on 08 9228 8339 or book an appointment online with your GP today.

Make an Online Booking