MEDIA RELEASE
23 October 2018
From 5 to 15 November, a team of My Health Record experts will be visiting Tom Price, Paraburdoo, Onslow and Pannawonica to inform the community about the benefits of My Health Record, and how to opt-out, if they wish.
WA Primary Health Alliance regional manager for the Pilbara, Winnie Henry, said My Health Record will improve patient outcomes for people working in the mining and resources industry.
“We have a large FIFO community spread across Tom Price, Paraburdoo and Pannawonica with thousands of people working at surrounding mine sites. FIFO families access healthcare in the Pilbara whilst working away from home and when they are back in Perth.
“My Health Record will therefore provide whichever healthcare provider they are seeing with a summary of their key health information which can speed up the diagnosis when someone is seeking treatment,” Ms Henry said.
“It will also help the transient Aboriginal population that migrates across the Pilbara, Western
Desert, Kimberley and the Northern Territory and access health services in different states, regions and towns.”
Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service Clinic Manager, Emma Barritt, confirmed that having a My Health Record including the patient’s key health information available wherever they go helps with continuity of care.
“It also gives the clinician more time to spend on care for the patient, rather than time spent chasing up information from other services.
“My Health Record can also assist in addressing language barriers, as patients with English as a second language do not have to try and explain their health history on multiple occasions, “Ms Barritt said.
Having a My Health Record has many advantages and it is easily accessible to authorised doctors, specialists, hospitals, and allied health professionals.
It is highly 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.
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.
My Health Record Community Information Sessions in Pilbara
Monday 5 November
10 – 11am – Tom Price, Nintirri Centre on Central Road
7.30 – 8.30pm – Tom Price, Nintirri Centre on Central Road
Wednesday 7 November
11.30 – 12.30am – Paraburdoo, Karingal Neighbourhood Centre
7 – 8pm – Paraburdoo, Karingal Neighbourhood Centre
Tuesday 13 November
3-4pm – Onslow, RM Forrest Hall, Second Avenue
6.30-7.30pm – Onslow, RM Forrest Hall, Second Avenue
Wednesday 14 November
1 – 2pm – Pannawonica, Mayu Maya Centre
7 – 8pm – Pannawonica, Pannawonica Sports Club, Sports Way, Pannawonica 6716
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.
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