Older Australians are being urged to consider the benefits of having a My Health Record during NSW Seniors Festival.
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My Health Record is an individual’s safe and secure digital health information, easily accessible by healthcare providers involved in their care including GPs, pharmacists and hospitals. All Australians will have a My Health Record by the end of 2018 unless they choose not to.
Australian Digital Health Agency chief executive Tim Kelsey said on Monday the expansion of My Health Record nationally will deliver a system that provides universal functionality, clear and concise content and, critically, a safe and secure clinical health service for all Australians.
“My Health Record can reduce the risk of medical misadventures by providing treating clinicians with up-to-date information.”
“The benefits of digital health for patients are significant and compelling. Digital health can improve and help save lives,” he said.
Many older Australians who have seen the numerous advantages, are getting onboard early.
Seeing the benefits of airplane aviation maintenance records for many years, Ian Gillies didn’t have to be sold on the idea when first told about My Health Record by his GP. “My Health Record gives you the facility to go in and immediately investigate what your maintenance record has been like as a human being,” he said.
Ian was discharged from a four-day stay in an interstate hospital after a medical emergency at a son’s birthday “on the basis that as soon as I got home I would see my own doctor”.
It was a major advantage after leaving the hospital with no written information that his My Health Record “was available within a minute” of walking into the doctor’s office.
His GP, Dr Chris Moy said: “I was able to look at the My Health Record and there was a discharge summary with information about what he had, and what he needed done and that was gold in this situation. It was information that I would not have otherwise had and which made all the difference to his care at that stage.”
To get more information or register for a My Health Record visit myhealthrecord.gov.au or phone free call 1800 723 471.