Lake Cargelligo will be part of a telehealth trial that aims to improve services throughout the community. 

The Murrumbidgee Local Health District is trialling a ‘Virtual Hub’ which will be a designated space for patient to access telehealth appointments from further afield. 

The facility is fitted with a large wall-mounted screen, high-quality camera, speaker, and all the necessities for a remote consultation. 

“The Virtual Hubs are making a big difference for patients with more or inadequate internet connectivity, have no access to appropriate equipment at home, or do not have the confidence to use virtual care unaided,” Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park said. 

The hubs are being trialled in Lake Cargelligo Multipurpose Service (MPS), Tumut, Hillston, Hay, Junee and Deniliquin Hospital. 

It’s a fitting response to an ongoing dilemma of rural life, where access to medical service has been improved by telehealth, but limited by poor connectivity and technology access. 

The announcement follows news that telehealth specialist appointments could be at risk of losing its Medicare funding. 

So far, the response to the Virtual Hubs have been promising. 

“The Virtual Hubs are allowing many more of our clients to access timely and high-quality health appointments close to home,” MLHD Clinical Digital Health Manager Andy Corrigan said.

“We have seen some patients save hours of travel using the Virtual Hubs, instead of having to drive to an appointment in person,” Mr Corrigan said.

While a successful trial could see Virtual Hubs rolled out to other facilities, most Western Plains towns fall outside of the Murrumbidgee Health District and so won’t benefit from the expansion any time soon.