General practice is in a financial clinch right now as doctors start walking away from bulk-billing, so why would venture capital funds start ploughing say $4 million, $20 million or even $60 million into GP businesses?

This is actually happening. But it seems, at least on the surface, the financial interest is for the telehealth-only version of the specialty, an idea that can cause disquiet.

Eucalyptus Health, which offers telehealth consults for conditions like obesity and erectile dysfunction, has raised a staggering $60 million from various capital funds.

Another business called Rosemary Health, which offers to treat an even wider range of conditions via video and phone, has raised $4 million from investors in Australia, the US and Singapore.