Stanhope Health Telecare service extended after successful nine-month stint. Pictured are Telecare medical director of primary care services Dr Raymond Wen, Kyabram District Health Service chief executive Anne McEvoy and Telecare chief operating officer Lina Xu.
Photo by
Jemma Jones
Telecare has pledged to serve the Stanhope community for at least another year, bringing vital local healthcare to a town previously without a GP.
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The Stanhope Health Telecare Clinic, launched in August 2024, not only met the critical need for a local GP, but also pioneered a state-first hybrid model, combining in-person and online appointments for rural communities.
Telecare chief operating officer Lina Xu said the service had signed a one-year contract extension to service with Stanhope Health, and said she hoped this hybrid model could be replicated in other small towns.
“We hope that there’s a longevity for this program to stay – that’s a goal for the collective,” she said.
KDHS chief executive Anne McEvoy announced Telecare’s contract extension.
Photo by
Jemma Jones
The announcement was by Kyabram District Health Service’s chief executive Anne McEvoy at a celebration of the Stanhope Health service in front of staff and community members.
She said this service had only been able to continue working thanks to the hard work of the in-person staff members such as registered nurses Janine Rofe and Vicki Webb, as well as client services staff Monica Falcone and Mica Rosenberg.
From August 12, 2024, to May 2025, the clinic has provided 377 face-to-face appointments and 190 Telecare appointments, along with 177 nurse consultation appointments made by Ms Rofe.
Mrs McEvoy said she hoped this is a system that is replicated in other health systems across Victoria.
“I think this will be a model that the Murray Primary Health Network – they’re a Commonwealth funded organisation to support GP practices – is very interested in.
“So, the more we can grow and evolve (the service) collaboratively, this will be seen very favourably by the Commonwealth Government, and we look forward to seeing what that does for the health needs of this community.”
The service has actively adapted to community feedback, fine-tuning the balance between Telecare and in-person consultations to better suit local preferences and needs.
The service has also expanded the GP panel to include three female GPs for residents who feel more comfortable being seen by a female doctor, bringing the total tally of GPs up to five.
Mrs Xu said in July, the service would be increasing the number of in-person GP consultations from two to five days a month in response to the success over the past nine months.
“We are very grateful for the opportunity to be part of the community,” Mrs Xu said.
We will make sure that the community will have a long-standing primary health coverage, and I hope that’s well perceived by the community and the local health service as well.”
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