During 13 – 16 August, a team of My Health Record experts will be visiting Geraldton and Mingenew to inform the community about the benefits of My Health Record, and how to opt-out, if they wish.
The tour coincides with Mingenew Midwest Expo on 15 and 16 August, the largest agricultural field day in Western Australia’s Midwest.
WA Primary Health Alliance regional manager Midwest, Jodie Green, said My Health Record will improve patient outcomes for people living in remote and rural Australia, who often have to travel.
“In case of an emergency away from home, vital information will be accessible to the treating doctor, which could save your life,” Ms Green said.
“In our current disjointed health system, health providers are not connected, meaning new health providers have no access to a patient’s previous health information and mistakes can happen.
“With My Health Record, people will also benefit from technology allowing data sharing among health professionals involved in their treatment, as the majority of the GPs and pharmacists across the Midwest are connected to the system,” 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 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.
Kalbarri resident, Iris Annear, encourages people to opt in.
“If you live in the country and you go out in an ambulance or with the Royal Flying Doctor, you will end up in Geraldton or Perth and your information will be there. The more information they have at the other end, the better care you will get.
“People should remember that only their own providers will have access to it. Don’t just opt-out, think about it first and talk to your doctor,” Ms Annear 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/
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.
My Health Record events MIDWEST
The My Health Record team will be hosting community information sessions at the following locations:
Monday 13 august
My Health Record stall at the Geraldton Community Health Centre, all day
Tuesday 14 August
My Health Record presentation to Geraldton Pensioners Group, QE11 Centre, 11am
Wed/Thu 15/16 August
My Health Record stall at the Mingenew Midwest Expo, all day
The Mingenew Midwest Expo is the largest agricultural field day in Western Australia’s Midwest. It showcases the future of farming and agricultural technologies and plays host to some of the biggest names in the industry, providing an exciting insight into what the agricultural sector has to offer and highlights the technologies of tomorrow.
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
MEDIA RELEASE: MEDIA RELEASE_My Health Record Roadshow Midwest_final