With the recent activation of Telehealth services by the Australian government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s now possible for you to be seen by Dr Mackay via video link up or, if you’d prefer, by telephone call.

Social distancing is the best chance our community has to minimise the spread of coronavirus. We need you to stay at home – but we also want to help you during this time and Telehealth is the perfect way to do this.

You no longer need to ignore that pain in your hand or finger as you wait for the coronavirus crisis to pass – possibly at least six months from now – to find out what is wrong or how to alleviate your discomfort.

Thanks to the Telehealth initiative, you can be reviewed by Dr Mackay in your own home and a non-surgical treatment plan can be started. Quite often, some exercises or rest or a splint may help in the first instance. Please remember that you may not get all the answers you seek but you will, at least, have a plan and some direction about what to do next and this can be quite a relief.

Your GP referral can be emailed directly to our office, as can any x-rays you have had or any other tests. Sometimes Dr Mackay will ask you to email him a photograph too but that depends on your individual problem.

When you call to make your appointment, Kaye or Kerry will get all your details, including your Medicare number. And if you don’t feel confident about the technology, Jen can call you and help you set it up. Here are some useful tips from the University of Queensland’s Centre for Online Health too.

When it comes to your Telehealth appointment, be seated in front of your computer a few minutes before and make sure you are somewhere quiet, well-lit, and private. Have a notepad and pen handy so you can take notes.

As for the cost? Provided you have a Medicare card and we have received a referral letter from your GP, the consultation will be bulk-billed. This is all part of the initiative rolled out the government, in place until September 2020.

If you’re not sure whether Telehealth is for you, just remember that this is our way of protecting you and our frontline health workers from exposure to any risk of infection. These are very unusual times, and this is our way of helping you and the community too.