Cobar’s registered healthcare providers are now able to access their patients’ digital health records via My Health Record.
Western NSW Primary Health Network Digital Health Manager Leigh Urquhart said the local community and healthcare providers are embracing My Health Record.
Over 4.1 million Australians now have a My Health Record and over 9,000 healthcare providers are connected to the system nationally.
These providers include hospitals, aged care services, general practices and pharmacies.
“Healthcare professionals and consumers alike can see the benefits of additional information being available to them,” Mr Urquhart said.
Local Cobar GP Dr Deon Heyns said the My Health Record system will be of great assistance to doctors.
“Often GPs find themselves in a situation where they see a patient for whom they have little or no information.
“A My Health Record can give GPs access to important information, such as pharmacy prescriptions, allergies and clinical information uploaded by other healthcare providers such as hospitals,” Dr Heyns said.
“It’s in our patient’s best interests to have their important health information accessible in one secure online location, for improved quality of care.”
My Health Record can be accessed via MyGov which is a secure online gateway.
The website provides a step-by-step guide about how to create and access a My Health Record.
“I strongly encourage all healthcare providers and patients to use the system as this will develop better connections within the healthcare sector and less adverse drug events,” Dr Heyns said.
My Health Record does not replace any existing medical records held by healthcare providers.
It is only an additional source of information which includes a patient’s important health information, allergies, current medications and medical history including hospital discharge summaries.
Patients who see multiple healthcare providers, those who have to travel for appointments or treatment and those who have ongoing treatment for chronic or complex medical conditions will especially benefit from the service.
