Expansion of telehealth services at Oncology North Coast

From 1 November 2025, the Australian Department of Health is expanding Medicare support for telehealth, including new item numbers for video and telephone consultations.

This national initiative ensures patients with cancer can continue to access specialist care, no matter where they live. For many people, travel can be challenging due to illness or long distances from appointment locations. In addition to the doctors travelling to outreach clinics to support these situations,  telehealth can also help keeping care coordinated and personalised.

How We Use Telehealth

Our oncologists use telehealth to:

• Review urgent test results ordered earlier than next scheduled appointment.
• Provide timely care and advice on new symptoms or treatment side effects without unnecessary travel.
• Maintaining regular care for patients undergoing treatment.

Telehealth is offered by video or telephone, depending on what’s most suitable for your care. First initial consultations and physical examinations still require in-person appointments.

How to Access Telehealth

Booking a telehealth consultation is simple. When you make your appointment, our staff will let you know whether your specialist will connect by video link or telephone call.

• Video consults are conducted using a secure platform, such as Zoom or
• Telephone consults use your regular phone number — your doctor will call you. Your doctor will call you at a time when he/she is most available. Please ensure you are close by your phone on the day of your appointment.

You’ll receive clear instructions with your appointment confirmation SMS or email. To find out if your next appointment can be via telehealth, please contact our reception team.