” NACCHO endorses and supports the My Health Record system initiative provided patient information and privacy is protected. The patient is in control of what information is placed in their electronic record and who else has access to it.

But want an assurance from the Health Minister that all patient records will be protected and if that requires further legislation then so be it.’

Mr John Singer, Chairperson of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO)

Read over 35 NACCHO E- Health My Health Records articles published since 2012

Understand privacy, security and consent Learn more about/how to:

• Report a clinical incident
• Manage a data breach
• Data breach notification – steps to follow
• Security practices and policies checklist
• Recognise your privacy and security obligations
• Understand consent and control
• My Health Record participation obligations
• My Health Record system security

My Health Record in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services see Part 2 Below

Mr Singer noted electronic health records have been operating in the NT for over the last decade without any problems. In remote areas patient medical records travels electronically with a patient.

Mr Singer said that ‘clinicians can now have easy access to life saving information, which is especially vital if they are in acute care, for allergies, medications, scan results, up to date records of all visits by a patient to their own community controlled clinic, regional hospital or interstate emergency departments.’

My Health Record has widespread support not only from NACCHO but also from national health and consumer peak bodies that are aligned with NACCHO including the Australian Medical Association (AMA), Consumer Health Forum (CHF) and Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

Many of these organisations have now publicly requested that Health Minister Hunt review the privacy legislation and ensure that there is no way of access to the system for anyone other than the nominated people by the patient.

This section contains information for the use of My Health Record in the delivery of healthcare to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

My Health Record provides an important source of information for healthcare providers and patients, enabling continuity of care within the healthcare system. My Health Record keeps key health information together in one place, which reduces time spent sharing information between treating healthcare providers. Access to the My Health Record system means healthcare providers can quickly gain an understanding of a patient’s health history, which can assist in the treatment of chronic medical conditions.

Digital Health hits the road with the Awabakal Medical Service

Register and set up access to the My Health Record system

Prior to registering your organisation you will first need to establish your team members’ roles and responsibilities as they relate to interacting with the Healthcare Identifiers Service and the My Health Record system, and train yourself and/or your team in how to use the My Health Record system.

You can familiarise yourself with the registration process for organisations and individuals here.

While your registration is being processed, this is an opportune time to:

• establish policies and procedures to underpin your team’s use of the My Health Record system, and
• train yourself and/or your team in how to use the My Health Record system

If you are going to use conformant clinical software which integrates with My Health Record, you can read more about the set up process here.

If you are not using conformant clinical software, you can access the My Health Record through the National Provider Portal via your web browser. Refer to this page for more information.

If your practice intends to participate in the Practice Incentives Program eHealth Incentive (ePIP), there are further registration and connections requirements you will need to complete.

Contact your State or Territory peak or local primary health network if you would like assistance to register your organisation.

About Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical services

There are important differences between an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) and an Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS). All ACCHS are AMS but the reverse is not the case;

• An AMS is a health service funded principally to provide services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals. An AMS is not necessarily community controlled.
• If an AMS is not community controlled it is a health service run by a State or Territory government. These non-community controlled AMSs mainly exist in the Northern Territory and the northern part of Queensland.
• An ACCHS is controlled by the local Aboriginal community via elected boards of management.
• Only AMSs that are also ACCHSs are eligible to be members of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) and its Affiliates, the State and Territory Peak bodies for Aboriginal Community Controlled Heath.

The term Aboriginal Community Control has its genesis in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians’ right to self-determination.

View and upload clinical information

Learn how to:

• View a My Health Record for a patient under your care, including their:
  • discharge summaries
  • medicines information
• Improve data quality and safety
• Upload clinical information, such as:
  • shared heath summaries
  • event summaries
  • ePrescriptions
• Access training simulators and learning resources

Understand privacy, security and consent

Learn more about/how to:

• Report a clinical incident
• Manage a data breach
• Data breach notification – steps to follow
• Security practices and policies checklist
• Recognise your privacy and security obligations
• Understand consent and control
• My Health Record participation obligations
• My Health Record system security

Access training and resources

My Health Record online training

This online training introduces My Health Record and outlines its benefits, features and functionalities. It covers topics such as:

• the types of information in the My Health Record system;
• how to view a patient’s My Health Record and upload information to it;
• the legislation which underpins healthcare providers’ use of the My Health Record system;
• how the My Health Record system can improve clinical outcomes; and
• healthcare providers’ participation obligations.

Access My Health Record online training

Clinical software simulators

There is a range of clinical software simulators or ‘sandboxes’ with which you can simulate viewing, creating and uploading clinical information to a fictional patient’s My Health Record, as well as carrying out Assisted Registration. There are simulators for Bp Premier, MedicalDirector, Zedmed, Genie, and Communicare.

Access clinical software simulators

Clinical software summary sheets

There are summary sheets for a range of clinical software products with step-by-step instructions and screenshots for viewing, creating and uploading clinical information, as well as carrying out Assisted Registration. The software products covered include Bp Premier, MedicalDirector, Zedmed, Genie, Medtech32 and Communicare.

Access clinical software summary sheets

Clinical software demonstrations

There is a range of slideshows showing how to perform a variety of functions in a range of clinical software products, including Bp Premier, MedicalDirector, Zedmed, Genie, and Communicare.

Access clinical software demonstrations

Education and training request form

The Agency can help with organising face-to-face education and training for your practice.

Request education and training

Support and inform patients

Brochures

A range of brochures are available to support you in introducing My Health Record to your patients. Further brochures will be uploaded as they are developed and published.

Consumer portal guides

A range of step-by-step guides are available to support patients in interacting with their My Health Record, including uploading a personal health summary, setting privacy controls and a range of other functions.

Assisted registration

Most software products used in ACCHSs and general practices have the functionality for you to assist consumers/patients to register for a My Health Record.

• The Assisted Registration Guide provides important information for practices who wish to register their patients.
• The Assisted Registration Checklist provides a summary of the key steps to prepare for registering patients.
• There are also range of summary sheets with step-by-step instructions for assisting patients to register through clinical software.

Get help and support

Contact us

See the Contact us page for guidance on who to call for help and support.