MEDIA RELEASE
23 October 2018
From 6 to 10 November, a team of My Health Record experts will be visiting the Great Southern to inform communities about the benefits of My Health Record, and how to opt-out, if they wish.
The My Health Record team will facilitate community information sessions in Denmark, Walpole, Frankland River, Bremer Bay and Gnowangerup and then at the Albany Show.
The free events provide an opportunity for community members to ask questions about My Health Record and how it can assist with managing their health records and those of their children.
WA Primary Health Alliance Country WA PHN acting manager, Jodie Green, said My Health Record will contribute to better patient outcomes and improved patient care.
“Working across the health sector, we see the need for more efficient information sharing. That is one of the significant benefits of My Health Record as it will connect the different health providers through one system and give people more insight and control of their own health information,” Ms Green said.
“Having a My Health Record has many advantages and it is easily accessible to authorised doctors, specialists, hospitals, and allied health professionals.
“It will be much more convenient, 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.
“When medical emergencies arise when travelling from a regional area to the city or interstate, a hospital can quickly access the person’s My Health Record, review their health summary and treat them appropriately, something that currently is not available,” Ms Green said.
Retired Albany school principal, Dot Price, confirmed that My Health Record provides her with the opportunity to upload a copy of her Advance Health Directive, a legal document that allows decisions to be made now about future care.
“I know that my wishes, if I were to find myself in a position where I’m unable to communicate, will be respected,” Mrs Price said.
Mrs Price and her husband also use My Health Record when they travel, so they always have access to their important medical information, like medications.
“When we are travelling, My Health Record provides extra security and peace of mind for any medical situation we might find ourselves in,” Mrs Price said.
WA Primary Health Alliance regional manager for the Great Southern, Lesley Pearson, said My Health Record will contribute to improved patient care and better health outcomes, as the digital health record is easily accessible to GPs, specialists and allied health professionals such as pharmacists.
“How many people experience going to a specialist, or their GP after being in hospital, only to find out that results, medical notes or medication details are not available,” Ms Pearson said.
“This will be a thing of the past once people are registered for a My Health Record, as all this information can be uploaded by the healthcare providers who have treated you.”
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/
People who want more information or who do not want a My Health Record can opt out by visiting www.myhealthrecord.gov.au/ 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.
The My Health Record team will be hosting community information sessions at the following locations:
Tuesday 6 November
My Health Record community information session at Denmark CRC (2:30 – 3:30pm)
Wednesday 7 November
My Health Record community information session at Walpole CRC (9:30 – 10:30am)
My Health Record community information session at Frankland CRC
Thursday 8 November
My Health Record community information session at Bremer Bay (9:30 – 10:30am)
My Health Record Community Information Session at Gnowangerup (3:30 – 4:30pm)
Friday 9 November
My Health Record community stall at Albany Show – all day
Saturday 10 November My Health Record booth at Albany Show – all day
For more information:
Nienke Rozendaal – (08) 6278 7942 or 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