“It’s vital that Aboriginal health services are involved in the work of the Digital Health Agency as our holistic approach to the health of our people ensures those who will benefit most from engaging with digital health have the information to enable them to do so.”
Heather Sculthorpe, CEO of the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre.
Read over 40 Aboriginal Health and My Health Records published by NACCHO over past 7 years
The Australian Digital Health Agency met with representatives from state and territory Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services on 4 December to support improvements in digital health literacy.
The national partnership of Affiliates meets quarterly to progress strategic digital health priorities that contribute to Closing The Gap.
This meeting was held in Tasmania and was hosted by the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, and was attended by representatives from:
- Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre (TAC)
- Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO)
- Aboriginal Health Council of SA (AHCSA)
- Aboriginal Health Council of WA (AHCWA)
- Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC)
- Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance NT (AMSANT)
- Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services (WNAHCS)
- Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW (AH&MRC)
- National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO)
Each jurisdiction showcased the progress of their local initiatives and received an update on the Agency’s 2020 community engagement work.
Professor Meredith Makeham, Chief Medical Adviser for the Australian Digital Health Agency, said “Australians living outside of cities experience lower quality health outcomes. Digital health initiatives such as the My Health Record can help bridge the health care gaps for people living in regional and remote areas.”
“It is essential that the Agency hear from and work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services.”
“Their frontline work to improve health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders people is integral to ensuring their communities can access and benefit from digital health technologies and services,” Professor Makeham said.
How you can use My Health Record
If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, you can use My Health Record to:
- Keep track of your health information online – Log in to My Health Record securely through myGov to see and manage your health information.
- Use privacy settings to control access to your record– Decide which healthcare providers can see your health details.
- Manage and view information in your record – See previous tests, prescribed medicines, and add any personal health notes. When you see a different nurse or doctor, they can also see these details.
- Set notifications and see who has accessed your record – Review which healthcare organisations have accessed your record at any time. You can set notifications, so you get an SMS or email each time a new healthcare provider accesses a record.
- Add or update your personal details – You can choose to identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
My Health Record storybooks
Created in collaboration with the Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council of NSW, these My Health Record storybooks give you an overview of My Health Record. This includes how to log in, who can see your records and other important information:
Add information to My Health Record
Your new My Health Record might not have much information in it when you first log in. Your doctor, pharmacist or other healthcare provider can start to add information to create a picture of your health over time.
Ask your healthcare provider to add new information to your My Health Record at your next visit.
Case study: Access to prescriptions wherever you go
Jim and Cindy live in Far North Queensland and love travelling across Australia to see friends and family. But they also need to ensure Cindy’s Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus can be managed on the road. Recently, on a trip interstate, Cindy realised she had left behind her prescription, which she uses to control her blood sugar levels.
Esther’s My Health Record story
Aboriginal woman Esther Montgomery is living with chronic health conditions including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and stage 2 renal disease.