A growing number of Australians are using technology to avoid long waits to see a general practitioner for medical certificates and prescription renewals, in anticipation of stricter regulations on telehealth. Midnight Health, an online medical consultation, electronic prescription, and pharmacy delivery start-up, reveals that 30 percent of its 85,000 customers are from rural areas. The company, based in Brisbane, serves 70 percent of regional postcodes, including remote towns. Many rural residents express frustration about difficulties in accessing GPs in a timely manner, making digital healthcare an ideal solution. Telehealth gained popularity during COVID-19 lockdowns and is considered crucial for the future of healthcare. However, the medical community has concerns about emerging digital care models, which involve patients completing web forms and communicating with doctors online. In September, the Medical Board will impose restrictions on certain forms of telehealth, stating that prescribing medication via text, email, or online platforms without real-time consultations is not good practice. According to the board chair, Anne Tonkin, it is essential for doctors to directly consult with patients in person or over the phone to ensure safe clinical judgment. Despite these restrictions, technology companies are actively trying to address the increasing shortage of GPs by offering virtual reality headsets in rural clinics, satellite internet connections, and web-based consultations and prescriptions. Midnight Health has collaborated with specialists and advisors to establish safe protocols for its prescription platform, but these new rules will require some adjustments to its operations. However, the company will continue to provide its in-demand over-the-counter pharmacy products. NIB, a private health insurance company, has invested $24 million in Midnight Health and continues to support technology advancements that move away from the traditional “one size fits all” approach to healthcare. NIB’s CEO, Mark Fitzgibbon, suggests that anonymized customer data from online platforms can be used to identify community health trends and develop targeted programs. The future of healthcare includes a combination of physical, virtual, and in-home services to compensate for the lack of physical resources.