Ka Ora gets contract for Rural Clinical Telehealth Service

NEWS - eHealthNews.nz editor Rebecca McBeth

A new Rural Clinical Telehealth Service aims to relieve pressure on rural practices and reduce barriers for rural communities to access primary care, particularly for priority populations.

Ka Ora, which brings together existing organisations Reach Aotearoa, Practice Plus and Emergency Consult, has been awarded the contract to deliver the Rural Clinical Telehealth Service over the next three years.

The new service has been co-commissioned by Te Whatu Ora and Te Aka Whai Ora.

Abbe Anderson, Te Whatu Ora national director commissioning, says the organisations that make up Ka Ora have a proven track record of working across rural New Zealand, including with Hauora Māori.

"The rural health sector has told us that the combined pressure of workforce shortages and unsustainable after-hours rosters mean that this service is needed to support the well-being of people living rurally," he says.

“Rural communities are a priority group identified in Te Pae Tata (Interim New Zealand Health Plan) and we remain dedicated to improving their access to high-quality, timely healthcare.”

The 0800 service will provide after-hours clinical telehealth care (5.00pm – 8.00am) on weekdays, and 24 hours a day on weekends and public holidays. The service is staffed by kaiāwhina, nurses, GPs and emergency medicine specialists and will provide access for all rural people whether they are enrolled or unenrolled with a primary care practice.

Rural general practice clinics will also be able to refer whānau and communities to the service after hours when they are at capacity to ensure rural patients have an alternative option to access healthcare when they need it.

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Selah Hart, maiaka hapori deputy chief executive public and population health, Te Aka Whai Ora, says access to services after working hours can be a real challenge in rural areas and creates unnecessary delays to receiving care.

“This new service could also make the difference for whānau, helping them to avoid a lengthy trip to the hospital in the middle of the night,” said Hart.

Around 190 rural practices in New Zealand serve 730,000 enrolled patients, including 440,000 classified as high need.

The tender document said the service was expected to deliver more than 150,000 telehealth consultations over three years.

Although subsidised by Te Whatu Ora, a patient co-payment will be charged for consultations with a doctor. Under 14s will remain free, and those on Community Services Card or who are 65 years and over will pay $19.50.

Jess White, Ka ora Telecare Leadership Team says, “Ka Ora Telecare is looking forward to providing rural communities with effective and sustainable afterhours access, by providing a high-quality equity focused after-hours telehealth medical service. We appreciate how important it is to support our rural primary care workforce as best we can whilst preserving their business model and on-going sustainability.”

The service is operational and rural communities can access the service via www.kaora.co.nz or by phoning 0800 2 KA ORA (0800 252 672)

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