Eligible endoscopy patients can now skip the trip to Beaudesert Hospital with bowel preparation appointments now available via Telehealth.
The service is making it easier for patients to attend, particularly those with mobility challenges or difficulties with travelling.
Administration Officer Chloe Dimmick (pictured) said Telehealth appointments had been a game-changer for patients needing a more flexible option.
“By offering Telehealth appointments, patients can attend their bowel prep appointment from the comfort of home, during a lunch break at work, or even while travelling for those who work away,” she said. “This helps patients fit appointments into their busy schedules and reduces the need for multiple trips to the hospital before their procedure.”
Nurse Unit Manager Perioperative Services Jason Roberts said the hospital introduced the service in response to strong community feedback.
“We had extensive consultation with our community about ways to increase access to our services, and Telehealth appointments were a common theme,” Jason said. “The Digital Health team then worked closely with our administration, outpatients, and theatre teams to make it a reality.”
After some early teething issues, Jason said staff were now reporting improved efficiency and workflow.
While some patients will still need face-to-face appointments, he said the service had already gone a long way to improving access to healthcare for the community.
Endoscopy joins Rheumatology as the second Beaudesert Hospital service to offer Telehealth, with plans to expand to more services soon.