The Federal Health Minister Mark Butler and the Shadow Health Minister Anne Ruston have joined Luke Grant on Drive to give their arguments on the recent removal of 70 specialised telehealth services.

Concerns are growing that ending the services will leave vulnerable patients without care.

Mr Butler argued that the June 30 cut was set by the former government and that doctors have had plenty of notice to discuss the change with their patients.

He also explained that ending the telephone services marks a transition of the specialised consults to video to ensure better quality care.

“Whenever there is a change like this, people will be taken by surprise … at some point with a big system like this you need to make sure its delivering the best quality care possible,” he said.

Shadow Health Minister Anne Ruston also joined Luke Grant, responding that the former government had extended the services due to covid.

She argued that the current government should do the same rather than throwing the blame back to the Liberal Party.

“This throw it all out and nothing to see here response from the Health Minister was very disappointing,” she said.

Press PLAY below to hear both interviews

Image: Sam Mooy / Getty Images