Southern district health providers move to shared records

Wednesday 14 September 2016

Southern district health providers move to shared records system

The move to a shared patient records system in hospitals, GPs and pharmacies across the Southern region is being hailed as step toward better care for patients.

From Tuesday 27 September, health providers in the catchment covered by the Southern District Health Board and WellSouth will have access to relevant health information when treating patients.

Southern DHB Chief Medical Officer Dr Nigel Millar says “moving to the shared patient records system, HealthOne, is a great initiative which puts patient safety first”.

For patients it will mean better care, he says. “For many people, visiting a GP or being admitted to hospital can be daunting. HealthOne can reduce some of that stress for people. There will be less need for patients to repeat themselves or remember the details of the medications they have been prescribed.”

Dr Millar says the majority of the region’s General Practices support the implementation of shared records with 89% of GPs having already signed up.

HealthOne, which is already used over the most of the South Island, is a secure system that respects patient privacy. Patient information – such as conditions they may have, test results, medications and allergies – is available to authorised healthcare providers such as GPs, community nurses, pharmacists, hospital doctors and nurses who can only see relevant information when they are treating a patient. HealthOne is not used for any purpose apart from providing patient care. Data should not be accessed by anyone other than authorised clinicians who are treating you. All use is monitored and subject to audit.

Dr Millar says people may choose to opt out or request that specific parts of their information is not shared by calling freephone 0508 837 872 or emailing privacy@healthone.org.nz

Southern DHB and WellSouth are undertaking a community information campaign to let people know about the shared records system, its benefits and how to opt out. They are running newspaper and radio advertising throughout Otago and Southland over the next week.

ENDS

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