Accessing health services during COVID-19 restrictions

25 September 2021

• Disability Sector News

During lockdown, there are different options for accessing health services to help protect patients and health workers and stop the spread of coronavirus – this includes telehealth.

Allied health professionals including psychologists, physiotherapists, podiatrists, occupational therapists, exercise physiologists, speech pathologists and dietitians are eligible to provide telehealth services.

If you are unwell or need to self-isolate, you can still attend a consultation via phone or video call.

Benefits of telehealth include:

* improved access to healthcare
* reduced travel, expense and time away from home
* reduced waiting times supporting faster diagnosis and appropriate treatment
* improved continuity and quality of care
* local treatment from a known healthcare provider, under specialist supervision
* increased opportunity to contact your healthcare provider between face-to-face consults.

You don’t need any special equipment for telehealth, and can either use your phone or a computer.

NDIS supports delivered by telehealth are funded by NDIS where funding has been allocated for allied health services.

For more information please contact OC Connections Support Coordination on 9569 0603 or visit our webpage.

More information can be found on the Department of Health website here.