Woolworths now offering telehealth consultations but GPs warn its to make money from health

The supermarket will use provider Global Health to connect Australians to the platform.

”You think of the times when you can’t see your GP, you can’t get in with your regular GP or you are too unwell to leave the house, you can now access this really quickly and conveniently,” Sarah Gray from Healthylife said.

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners’ doctor Nicole Higgins said it was an opportunity to make money out of people’s health care.

“Interestingly, they are charging more than what the gap fee is to see your GP,” Higgins said.

Retail analyst Steve Kulmar said it was a strategic move to pave the way for a more lucrative category, Woolworths had wanted in store for decades.

“I think this is the backdoor for Woolworths to secure ultimately chemist and pharmacy inside there stores,” Kulmar said

Woolworths said the service was not designed to replace your usual GP.

Appointments start at $25 for a medical certificate, $45 for a standard consult and $115 for dieticians or nutritionists.

Patients will not be eligible for a Medicare rebate.