The country’s largest secure messaging service has put on hold its plan to charge practices up to $1000 a year to make digital referrals using its platforms.

GPs were outraged by HealthLink’s planned subscription fees given that its service is integrated into several national and state health programs, meaning they would have no alternative but to pay up to continue the work they are obligated to do.

In an email to practices last month, the company said it would be introducing the fees — ranging from $252 to $1000, depending on the size of the practice — from February.

It said the decision was designed to “harmonise our subscription model for general practice” to ensure it was “cost-effective and scalable”.