Healthdirect Australia combines the convenience and benefits of a telephone call with a face-to-face discussion using everyday smart devices (mobile phone, tablet, laptop or computer) and an internet connection.
Healthdirect Australia manages this service on behalf of the Australian Department of Health, WA Health, ACT Health and the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services.
Gippsland PHN has partnered with HealthDirect to provide general practices in Gippsland free access to the Healthdirect video call service platform.
Key Features
Healthdirect Video Call Service is:
Healthdirect Video Call uses military grade software developed by Coviu, a spin-off from the CSIRO’s Data61 digital innovation project and is purpose-built for health settings, complete with virtual clinics and waiting areas. It is a secure, private and sustainable mode of convenient access to care. No account, special software or dial-in details are needed by patients.
Healthdirect Video Call is browser-based and can be accessed by clinicians and patients via Google Chrome, Apple Safari or Firefox on a Windows/Mac PC, smartphone or tablet. It works on low internet bandwidths – 3G/4G or ADSL is sufficient.
Healthdirect Video Call follows the applicable Australian Government Information Security Manual (ISM) for cyber security guidelines and safeguards privacy by leaving no digital footprint. Other video consultation platforms store the details of the call, including the call recording, in central servers (usually outside Australia) accessible by the video service provider and may put clinicians at risk of breach of privacy legislation without informed patient consent.
Find out more from the Resource Centre.
To help you navigate the platform, Healthdirect have developed a range of helpful resources, including a starter guide introduction and webinars.
How do providers use the Video Call Service?
Health providers login to the Video Call Service using their preferred email address and join patients in their general practice online waiting area rather than its physical one. General practice staff are notified (via SMS, email or desktop notifications) when a patient arrives in the online waiting area.
How to join a Video Call and see your patient?
Watch this short video on how to join a Healthdirect Video Call and consult with your patient.
How do patients join their consultation using the Video Call Service?
Patients attend their appointment by:
Unlike traditional video conferencing, patients do not need an account, special software or dial-in details, which reduces the need for extra resources or systems to support video consulting.
Healthdirect Video Call provides patients with a single, consistent virtual entry point to a general practice online waiting area. All patients enter the same way, reducing the need for administrative staff to generate a separate link, code or dial-in information for each patient. This has many advantages, including being able to use a single appointment confirmation template for all patients, enabling Video Call to operate at scale.
Read more on getting your patients started with Video Call.
How to use Video Call for patients?
Watch this short video on how to attend your appointment via Healthdirect Video Call.
The Australian Department of Health has extended the Healthdirect Video Call COVID-19 GP Program to 31 March 2021 and is currently being offered free of charge.
This extension provides a seamless continuation of service for those already using it.
Healthdirect is seeking confirmation from the Department of Health regarding the Healthdirect Video Call Service Pilot Program which many PHNs are involved in and an announcement on this will be shared once received.
If you would like further information or to commence utilising the platform, please contact the Digital Health team at digital.health@gphn.org.au
Main office
11 Seymour Street, Traralgon, Gunaikurnai Country
13 McBride Avenue, Wonthaggi, Bunurong Country
119 Main Street, Bairnsdale, Gunaikurnai Country
Gippsland PHN is committed to providing inclusive services and work environments where people of all backgrounds, sexualities, genders, cultures, spiritual beliefs, age, bodies and abilities are valued, supported and celebrated.
Gippsland PHN acknowledges the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people/s as the traditional Custodians of Country across the Gippsland region.
We acknowledge the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people/s continuing connection to Land, Water and Community.
We pay our respects to the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People/s, Cultures, and their Elders past and present.
We also recognise, respect and affirm the central role played in our work by people with lived experience, their families and/or carers.
Gippsland PHN acknowledges Alfie Hudson for the healing circles artwork. Alfie is a Gunai Kurnai man and created this artwork which represents health professionals being committed to work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members for the best health outcomes.
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