Fig. 1.

Improved access and quality of care utilising a telehealth model. (a) Both the access and quality of care provided is limited in a face-to-face only model. Those accessing the service face-to-face largely came from areas close to Sydney or from larger regional towns, which nevertheless required significant travel times (Dubbo and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) are 5 and 3 hours’ drive from Sydney respectively). Furthermore, although patients attended an initial assessment, it was impractical to ask them to return for a re-evaluation or follow-up assessment. (b) Following the implementation of the telehealth service (Mood-T), we are now able to assess patients from anywhere within the state (enhanced access and equity) and can organise follow-up assessments at any time (enhanced convenience). Furthermore, other clinicians involved in the patient's care can be invited to join the online consultation to take part in the assessment.