• Home
• Analysis
• Policy
• Central Government
• Local Government
• Healthcare
• Education
• Digital Inclusion
• Technology
• Security

Healthcare, Policy

Calls for e-health to better serve rural Australia

By Kelly Ng | 28 July 2009

The Australian government must focus on e-health initiatives to better serve rural areas, the Australian Medical Association has urged.

Rural areas face difficulties attracting and retaining doctors, and this is not likely to improve in the near future - so it is critical for government to expedite e-health services, Andrew Pesce, President of the Australian Medical Association has insisted.

Access to electronic health records and telemedicine will dramatically improve the quality and safety of healthcare for patients in remote areas, he said, adding that the government should take a stronger lead in e-health initiatives.

“There is growing frustration with the levels and style of bureaucracy, with a litany of undelivered promises from governments of all persuasions, and with the pushing of blame on another arm of government for these unfulfilled promises,” he commented.

---