My Health Record experts will be at the Mini Death Fest at Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre on 8 August as part of Dying to Know Day, an opportunity for community members to ask questions about My Health Record and how it can assist with many other aspects of their health, including end of life care.
WA Primary Health Alliance regional manager for the South West, Kate Cross, said My Health Record can play a key role in end of life planning and making sure health providers and family are fully aware of a person’s requests.
“If you have wishes about your future medical treatment, it’s important to write them down and share them, so that your family knows about them should the need arise,” Ms Cross said.
“You can also upload to this information to My Health Record, so it is available to your other healthcare providers if you wish.”
My Health Record is easily accessible to authorised doctors, specialists, hospitals, and allied health professionals such as pharmacists such as David Williams from Busselton Friendlies Pharmacy.
Mr Williams said pharmacy staff are using My Health Record to assist with timely dispensing prescriptions and making sure people get the right medications at the right time.
Another significant benefit of My Health Record is not having to remember and repeat your medical history, including chronic conditions and medications, as all this information can be uploaded to the My Health Record by healthcare providers.
Manjimup resident Ranui Harris and manager of the Manjimup Community Resource Centre said My Health Record gives Australians an opportunity to self-manage their health-care.
“It provides people with the power to see what is going on with their own health, it gets them involved and engaged. People should embrace it,” Ms Harris said.
By the end of 2018, every Australian will have a digital My Health Record, unless they actively choose not to have one.
Having a My Health Record means that a summary of a person’s important health information like allergies, current conditions and treatments, medication details, pathology reports or diagnostic imaging reports can be digitally stored in one place.
To find an information session in your area, follow the My Health Record Facebook page www.facebook.com/MyHealthRec/ or visit www.wapha.org.au/events/
More information on My Health Record can be found at www.myhealthrecord.gov.au
People who do not want a My Health Record can opt out by visiting the My Health Record website or by calling 1800 723 471 for phone-based assistance. Additional support is available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, people from non-English speaking backgrounds, people with limited digital literacy, and those living in rural and remote regions.
Event details
When: Wednesday 8 August, 2-6pm
What: My Health Record Stall at Mini-Death Fest,
Where: Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre
For more information:
Nienke Rozendaal – My Health Record WA Communication Coordinator
(08) 6278 7942 – 0429 680 167 – Nienke.Rozendaal@wapha.org.au
About WA Primary Health Alliance: WA Primary Health Alliance oversees the strategic commissioning functions of the Perth North, Perth South and Country WA Primary Health Networks (PHNs). The WA PHNs are three of 31 PHNs established by the Australian Government nationally to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of medical services for the community. We work across the WA healthcare system with doctors, allied health professionals, Area Health Services and service providers to improve the coordination of care for people who are at risk of poor health outcomes. For more information, visit www.wapha.org.au
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