Move over tuppaware parties, telehealth parties are all the rage!

The event kicked off what organiser Shelley Jones hopes will be a series of telehealth parties where community members can host a party in their own home with their friends to learn about how simple telehealth is to use.

Shelley is the Community Care Coordinator based at the Health and Wellbeing Hub in Edenhope and is trying to educate the community about the benefits of accessing telehealth in their own home.

With balloons and fun face masks the guest had a laugh and enjoyed a delicious morning tea whilst Shelley gave a telehealth demonstration.

“In many cases telehealth can be used instead of a face to face appointment with doctors or specialists. This saves people the need to travel long distances which can often involve overnight stays where accommodation can be costly” said Shelley.

“I am really keen to have more telehealth parties and would love people to contact us if they would be happy to have a party in their own home with their friends, I will bring the morning tea”

“If people would prefer we would be happy to hold the party at the Health & Wellbeing Hub and they can just organise a small group of friends to come along.”

“Host and guests receive a gift bag and a complimentary blood pressure check for those that would like it.”

Having never had a telehealth experience before, Robert Oakley came along to the morning tea to discover more about how telehealth works.

“I still think I would like to have an initial appointment in person, but telehealth would be great for follow up appointments”

Robert who claims he has a fair understanding of technology having run his own business said “the telehealth appointments seem fairly simple and I would be confident to do them from home”

Kathy Tunks found the party very informative “I can’t believe how simple to use telehealth is, I have had specialist consults over the phone before but telehealth is much better as you can see each other”

“My Rheumatologist is in Adelaide I am going to ask to have my appointments via telehealth which will save me a lot of travel.”

Local resident Pam Young learnt a lot from the morning tea, “It [Telehealth] is great, it feels like you are talking to them [the doctor] in the same room”

If you would like to learn more about telehealth or would be interested in hosting a party with your friends please contact the Grampians Health Edenhope, Health and Wellbeing Hub on 5585 9830 or drop in to 65 Elizabeth Street, Edenhope.