NZ Telehealth Resource Centre

Welcome to the NZ Telehealth Forum and Resource Centre. This site has guidance and resources for people who want to set up, improve or use a telehealth service within New Zealand.

The New Zealand Health System faces real challenges in relation to the demands placed upon it by an aging population facing increasingly complex medical problems. In addition, there is an ongoing need to ensure equity of access to healthcare for all New Zealanders. We believe that telehealth, thoughtfully applied to the right clinical situation, enables the delivery of better, more cost-effective healthcare.

Our goal has been to bring together guidance and resources that should make doing so more efficient and effective, offering you the support you need as you go. We offer ongoing support at help@telehealth.org.nz

What is telehealth?

Telehealth is the use of information and communication technologies to deliver health care when patients and care providers are not in the same physical location. For example, illnesses can be diagnosed and treatment provided via secure video conference. To be effective, telehealth relies on fast broadband internet services. Healthcare related education, research and evaluation can also take place using telehealth facilities.

Benefits

• For patients: Faster access to care and shorter wait times. Remote patients can remain close to home, making consultations more convenient and reducing travel. 
• DHBs: Fairer health system because of better access to care. More educational options for DHB staff via specialist video training.
• Specialists/consultants: Less time spent travelling for consultations. Greater control over scheduling. Closer working relationship between specialists and primary care.
• Aged care workers/nurses: Reduced need to transfer older patients. Increases nurses' knowledge through more exposure to specialist consultations.
• General practitioners: GPs who serve rural health facilities need to travel less frequently. Store and forward allows for accessible referrals and second opinions.
• Allied health workers: Rehabilitation and physiotherapy can take place via videoconference, meaning less time and budget spent on travel.

This resource centre is a joint initiative of Mobile Health and the New Zealand Telehealth Forum.