The Ministry of Health is developing a new national telehealth system so more New Zealanders can receive health and injury advice over the phone or online.
Health Minister Tony Ryall said he hoped the new telehealth services would reduce pressure on emergency departments, the ambulance service and general practitioners.
"Nine Ministry of Health-funded phone advice lines, including Healthline, Poisonline, Quitline and the Depression helpline, will be included in the new national telehealth service," said Mr Ryall.
"Not only are we planning to expand the ways people receive advice, we are also looking at having a wider range of health professionals available for people to talk to, such as pharmacists," he said.
The new telehealth service will not include the 111 service or Plunketline.
All other current services will continue during the tender process.
The new service is expected to be operational by February.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Amanda Parkingson
Quelle/Source: The Southland Times, 16.09.2013
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