Teletrials bring urban-based healthcare to NT, does not prevent travel costs

A teletrial program will bring urban-based healthcare to remote NT communities, but the trials won’t stop travel requirements completely.

A teletrial program in the NT will grant Territorians greater access to new medicines, but does not guarantee every resident will be able to access lifesaving treatments without added travel costs.

The federal government’s five year, $75.2m Australian Teletrial Program will link remote trial sites with urban-based sites to access medical drugs, therapies, and devices at a local health centre.

But teletrial patients may still be required to attend to other hospitals for procedures such as specialist scans and blood tests, adding costly travel and accommodation fees to any existing medical bills.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said the teletrials would boost health outcomes for Territorians. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The trials – funded by a Medical Research Future Fund grant – will benefit patients in the NT, Queensland, Western Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia.

The NT government has secured $5m of the grant for local use.

Twenty-two patients in the NT have already been recruited for the trials, which will rely on digital and video communication.

A multidisciplinary team in the NT – representing multiple hospitals in different areas – has already launch three trials, targeting metastatic pancreatic cancer, AI-use in heart ultrasounds, and a mobile app controlling serum phosphate levels in dialysis patients.

Health and Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said the trials would improve Territorians’ health outcomes.

“Other benefits will include a reduction in the need to travel long distances and costs related to clinical trial participation for patients and their families,” Ms Fyles said.

“Participation in the ATP will boost the NT’s clinical research sector, with flow-on effects to include improvements in facilities, equipment, services and systems in both urban and remote locations, and greater opportunities for the research workforce.”

Originally published as Teletrials bring urban-based healthcare to NT, does not prevent travel costs