My GP Tamworth doctor Casey Sullivan says telehealth services limited to existing patients as part of COVID-19 reforms could benefit patients

As part of a response to the outbreak of COVID-19, the Medicare-subsidised program has been a godsend to practices and patients in Tamworth.

Telehealth services gave My GP Tamworth doctor Casey Sullivan the option to support patients without tough financial impacts.

"We adopted the telehealth services for one major reason, we were desperately concerned about the number of people in Tamworth that may now be without employment due to COVID," she said.

"There were no Medicare rebates for telehealth for GP's prior to this, and patients had to pay full private fees without Medicare assisting."

Government reforms to telehealth mean GP's will need to have an existing and continuous relationship with a patient before it can provide that service from July 20.

It's expected to ensure patients receive quality, ongoing care from a GP who knows their medical history and needs.

Federal Regional Health Minister Mark Coulton said the changes have been brought in as restrictions are lifted.

"It is never our intention for telehealth to replace face-to-face care, it does however work well in conjunction with face-to-face consultations," he said.

But the transition has not been entirely easy, at My GP Tamworth the number of patients seen each day had to be doubled from 30 to about 60 as the Medicare rebate only covered half the cost to run a practice.

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It was an added demand as overheads, wages and rent still needed to be covered, Dr Sullivan said.

"This added strain to the doctors and if done long term would quickly lead to burn out," she said.

"The positives were that we were able to continue patient care in a period when patients didn't wish to go out and risk contact with COVID positive individuals."

If the clinic was forced to close for two weeks it could result in an estimated 1000 more presentations to emergency.

Dr Sullivan said it was important mental health assessments or physical examinations remained in-person.

"Your regular doctor not only knows you, but they should also understand your family and social situation which is imperative to delivering excellence in healthcare," she said.