Mental health access for the bush to be boosted under telehealth scheme

RURAL Victorians will gain the same access to psychological services as those people living in cities under a new federal telehealth initiative.

RURAL Victorians will gain the same access to psychological services as those people living in cities from Wednesday under a new telehealth initiative.

The Federal Government will remove a major barrier to rural residents to access vital mental health treatment with the introduction of a new Medicare rebate for online video­conferencing consultations with psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists.

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From Wednesday, up to seven of the 10 sessions currently available through Medicare mental health plans will be available through the telehealth system.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said many rural people would now have an easier way to receive appropriate care as a result.

“We know that people living in rural and regional areas often have reduced access to health care,” he said.

“They have to travel greater distances to receive medical services, experience higher rates of ill health, and demonstrate higher death, illness and health and disease risk factors than people living in major cities.”

Health Minister Greg Hunt, pictured with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, says people living in rural areas often have reduced access to health care.

The latest Medicare Benefits Schedule data shows the rate of people receiving services decreases as remoteness increases.

The proportion of people receiving mental health-specific services is highest for those aged from 35 to 44 years and is almost 130 out of every 1000 people. More females (113 for every 1000) received services than males (about 76 for every 1000).

Victoria had the highest rates of patients with 105.1 per 1000 population, while nationally the rates were 94.5 patients and 443.6 services per 1000 population.

The program will cost $9.1 million over the next four years.

Mr Hunt said people interested in using telehealth psychological services should speak to their GP.

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