The Western NSW Medicare Local (WML) and Blayney Family Medical Practice are encouraging residents and surrounding communities to register for a Personally Controlled Electronic eHealth record (PCEHR) by holding a registration day on Friday, February 7.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
WML will be helping and registering community members for a free eHealth record and then doctors will be able to upload a summary of their health information to the system.
Any visitors can attend the registration day and get an eHealth record and have their own GP upload their health summary later.
An eHealth record is an electronic summary of a patient's key health information drawn from their existing patient records.
Information can be uploaded by an authorised healthcare professional which is typically a person's regular GP.
Information that can be uploaded includes medications, test results, discharge summaries, allergies and details of any immunisations.
The doctors are in favour of everyone registering for an eHealth record, according to Suba Vijayakumar, Practice Manager at the Blayney Family Medical Practice.
"It's in our patients's best interests to have all their health information accessible in one online location, no matter where they are or whoever they go to," she said.
"We are very excited about the potential for the eHealth record and how it can help patients control and take ownership of their own medical history."
Stephen Jackson, Deputy CEO at WML, said the team has been promoting meaningful use of the eHealth record system across the region.
"WML is working with the local general practice, specialists and pharmacies to assist them in registering their patients and customers in the eHealth records," he said.
"We have been focusing on getting the health practitioners comfortable with the system until recently, but now shifting to get the public on board."
WML will be using the assisted registration tool, a program which allows the eHealth team to promote and activate eHealth records for the public at community events and road shows.
"This tool enables WML staff to guide the public through the process of registration and activation of their own eHealth record."
Blayney Family Medical Practice has teamed up with the WML to deliver this hassle free service to the community.
WML staff will be on site in the practice from 9am on Friday, February 7 to register community members for an eHealth record, in what is a 10 minute quick and easy process.
No GP appointments are needed to register for eHealth.
