Children living in remote and regional areas experience poorer health outcomes than their urban peers. How can we ensure that they have better access to affordable, local and timely quality health care?

Models of care that embed specialist support in regional primary care using telehealth are a promising strategy for tackling barriers to access and improving the quality of care.

This CCCH Policy Brief focuses on telehealth and the opportunity to use existing services more effectively to embed paediatric expertise in regional primary care. It has the potential to enhance the skills of clinicians and practitioners, provide more effective and timelier care that better meets the needs of children and families, and improve access for those who need it most.

Key messages:

• Children living in remote and regional areas experience poorer health outcomes than their urban peers.
• Access to affordable, local and timely quality health care is one of the key drivers of differential outcomes for rural and regional children.
• Embedding specialist paediatric expertise in primary care via telehealth could improve efficiency, access and quality of care for regional and rural communities.