Woolworths and telehealth
Woolworths is getting into telehealth, but patients need to be treated as more than customers.
Earlier this week, Australian retail giant Woolworths announced a move into health-care delivery via development of its subsidiary HealthyLife’s online portal.
Through this portal, Australians can book a same-day 15-minute virtual GP appointment for A$45 and have any resulting prescription filled and delivered to their home. They can access other services such as a 30-minute virtual appointment with a dietitian or nutritionist for $115. They can also access free 15-minute virtual consultations with naturopaths.
Accessibility has long been an issue in Australian primary health care. With wait times for GPs growing, same-day appointments are becoming almost impossible.
But when a business provides both health advice and therapeutic products for sale, it raises ethical and regulatory questions.
Read the full story on UTS Newsroom: Woolworths and telehealth
