Social
case study: Models of care
Telehealth
Telehealth gives patients the option to receive safe, high quality care virtually and has pioneered the use of digital communication to improve the patient experience. Alongside improving overall access to healthcare, the use of telehealth has major sustainability benefits including reducing road travel and fuel combustion. In 2020, clinicians across NSLHD turned to telehealth at a rate never seen before to deliver healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic. Between March and September it is estimated the use of telehealth saved approximately 525,528 kilometres of travel by cars to NSLHD facilities. Assuming most patients drive to their appointments in cars using conventional petrol, this converts to a saving of approximately 100,000 kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions. With road transport and fuel combustion contributing 18 per cent of CO2 emissions globally [13], there is a significant opportunity within the healthcare sector to leverage the sustainable benefits of virtual models of care like telehealth. This has the potential to reduce the overall environmental impact of atmospheric pollutants emitted by motor vehicles travelling to healthcare facilities.
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