The ACT Government says Canberrans are set to benefit from safer, more connected and better-informed healthcare, with more than 70% of ACT general practices (GPs) now registered with DHR Link.
DHR Link is part of the ACT’s Digital Health Record (DHR). With a patient’s consent, authorised staff at participating GPs can securely access their patients’ ACT public health records.
This will ensure Canberrans receive more informed and timely follow-up care as they move between hospital, community and primary care settings, said Minister for Health, Marisa Paterson.
Ninety-one of the ACT’s 127 general practices have now signed up to DHR Link, with more expected to join over the coming months, said the Minister.
“DHR Link is helping GPs access the information they need, when they need it, to provide more connected and informed care for Canberrans,” she said.
“It’s an exciting evolution of the Digital Health Record that supports faster access to patient information, helping doctors, nurses and allied health professionals deliver safer, more timely and better coordinated care.
“Importantly, patients remain in control of who can access their information. Patients must provide written consent before authorised staff at participating GPs can view their ACT public health record. Their consent can be withdrawn at any time.”
Canberrans can access their DHR through the MyDHR patient portal. It is a single, secure and accessible platform where patients can view their medical records, treatment plans, medications and upcoming appointments across the ACT public health system.
“The ACT is the first Australian jurisdiction to implement a single territory-wide digital public health record which is also accessible to GPs with a patient’s consent. The Digital Health Record is more than an IT platform. It has transformed the way our health system works together to provide high-quality, person-centred care,” said Digital Health Group, Digital Canberra executive group manager, Holger Kaufmann.
“Patient safety is paramount. DHR and DHR Link are governed and managed by the ACT Government, under strict federal and ACT privacy and security requirements. This means our public health records are separate to a general practice’s software, even if the practice is connected with DHR Link.”
Find out more about the DHR and DHR Link: https://www.act.gov.au/health/digital-health-record.
