The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) is inviting public feedback on new draft standards designed to support safe, effective and high-quality virtual care across rural and remote Australia.
The draft ACRRM Practice Standard for the Quality and Safety of Virtual Care in Rural, Remote and First Nations Communities provides a rural-specific framework for healthcare systems, organisations and services delivering care through virtual models.
It aims to ensure technology strengthens access to healthcare without replacing in-person care when it is needed.
ACRRM Digital Health Committee Chair A/Prof Chris Pearce says virtual care plays an important role in connecting rural, remote and First Nations people with timely healthcare, but its delivery must reflect the realities of their communities.
“Virtual care can reduce distance and improve access, but quality care involves much more than establishing a video or telephone connection,” A/Prof Pearce says.
“It must be clinically appropriate, safe, secure and culturally responsive, with clear systems for consent, privacy, clinical governance, continuity of care and escalation when a patient needs face-to-face treatment.
“These standards provide organisations with a practical framework for considering those responsibilities and managing the risks associated with delivering healthcare at a distance.”
The draft Standard applies broadly to public and private healthcare systems, hospitals, primary care practices, emergency departments, clinics, non-government organisations and other providers of telehealth and virtual care.
It addresses areas including leadership and governance, service design, workforce capability, clinical safety, continuity of care, performance monitoring and continuous improvement.
A/Prof Pearce says rural and remote communities need standards that recognise local circumstances, including workforce availability, infrastructure, connectivity, transport, cultural considerations and access to in-person services.
“Models designed for metropolitan settings cannot simply be applied to rural and remote communities without considering the different risks, resources and support available,” he says.
“We want to hear from clinicians, health services, governments, digital health organisations, consumers and communities to ensure the Standard is robust, practical and reflects best practice.
“The feedback we receive will help refine the Standard and inform the development of implementation guidance, frequently asked questions and other supporting resources.”
Public consultation is open until 15 November 2026.
The draft Standard and feedback form are available on the ACRRM website, here .For further information, email ehealth@acrrm.org.au.
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