Telehealth

You can have a consultation with a healthcare provider by phone or video call.

This is also known as a telehealth appointment.

A telehealth appointment is the same as a face-to-face appointment, except you don’t see your healthcare provider in person.

If you know how to make and receive phone and video calls with friends and family, then you should be able to use telehealth.

Benefits

The benefits of telehealth include:

• you can have a support person with you
• less travelling and costs
• less time away from family, work and community
• improved access to follow-up appointments
• not having to leave home if you’re unwell or self-isolating.

Read more about the benefits and importance of telehealth on the Australian Government's Department of Health and Aged Care website or go to the Australian digital health website.

What you need for a video call

You should check that you can receive and make video calls with your device.

Devices must have:

• internet connection
• a camera such as on a smartphone, laptop or webcam
• headphones or speakers
• microphone.

This could be using your:

• tablet or ipad
• laptop or desktop computer
• smartphone.

You do not need to download any special software or applications but you should check you're using the latest internet browser for your chosen device.

Learn more about device requirements on the healthdirect video call website.

Telehealth appointments with a private practice

Many doctors and medical centres now offer telehealth appointments.

If you have a preferred healthcare provider, ask if this is an option for you.

Sometimes doctors do need to see you in person.

Most telehealth appointments are by video call, but can also be over the phone.

Private practices all use similar telehealth products to host and conduct their video calls.

Contact the medical centre that you made your appointment with if you need help preparing for your appointment.

Requesting a telehealth appointment with NT Health

Telehealth appointments can be arranged for many NT Health services.

It will depend on your circumstances, health condition and treatment needs.

You will need to discuss your preferences when:

• being referred to an NT Health service
• making arrangements for future appointments
• you are leaving the hospital and need to come back for any follow-up appointments.

If your appointment has already been booked, you can contact the service to ask about changing your appointment to telehealth.

Details will be on your appointment letter, email or SMS.

Accessing telehealth in remote locations

If you live or work in a remote area of the NT and need specialist healthcare, your health clinic or doctor might use telehealth to consult with an NT Health service or specialist during your appointment.

Your health clinic can continue to help with any follow up appointments if you:

• don't have access to the technology
• don't have reliable internet access or
• need further assistance.

Call your health clinic to discuss.

A local library or council may also be able to provide a private room, devices or internet access for your appointment.

Emergency telehealth

In  some remote health clinics, there are special cameras in emergency rooms.

When the camera is shared, doctors can support health clinics remotely during the emergency.

If telehealth is not an option

If your healthcare team decides they need to see you in person and you need to travel a long distance for your appointment, you may be eligible for the patient assistance travel scheme.

If you're a senior or you are mobility impaired and your appointment is at Royal Darwin Hospital or Palmerston Regional Hospital you can book the free bus services for appointments.

Preparing for a telehealth appointment with video call

When you have a telehealth appointment with NT Health services, it will normally be hosted using healthdirect video call.

For information about healthdirect video call and privacy and security, go to the healthdirect video call website.

Before your video call appointment

You will receive a letter, email or SMS with your appointment details.

Before your appointment you should:

• go to the healthdirect website to check the device requirements and read the do's and don'ts for video calls
• decide if you should invite friends, family or other support people like an interpreter
• know where you will have your appointment, for example at home, friends house or somewhere else.

Starting your video call appointment

When it's time for your appointment you will need to:

• access the link provided to you in the letter, email or SMS at the right date and time
• inform the healthcare team if you've invited someone else to your appointment.

You will enter the virtual waiting room until your healthcare team starts the appointment with you.

Watch the video below on how to access a video call appointment.

Open the video in a new browser.

After your video call appointment

After your appointment, you will have the option to provide feedback about your telehealth experience through a quick survey.

You can also contact NT Health Virtual Care team by emailing virtualcare.nthealth@nt.gov.au.

Contact

If you have any questions or if you're having technical difficulties, read the contact details on your appointment letter, email or SMS.