All Catholic Healthcare homes will soon be connected to My Health Record, Australia’s secure digital health record system, helping ensure important health information is available when needed to support safe, coordinated and person-centred care for residents.
What is My Health Record?
My Health Record is a secure online summary of a person's health information. It allows authorised healthcare providers, including doctors, hospitals and aged care services, to access important information such as medications, allergies, pathology results and hospital discharge summaries.
Having this information in one place helps healthcare providers make informed decisions and work together to support a resident's care.
How does this benefit residents?
Connecting to My Health Record helps improve the quality and continuity of care by:
- Supporting safer care through access to up-to-date health information
- Reducing the risk of medication errors and unnecessary repeat tests
- Improving communication between healthcare providers
- Supporting faster responses during hospital visits or emergencies
- Enabling more personalised care based on a resident's health needs, preferences and goals.
What information can Catholic Healthcare access?
Access to My Health Record is strictly controlled. Only authorised Residential Managers and Care Managers can view information in a resident's record.
This may include:
- Medication information
- Hospital discharge summaries
- Pathology and diagnostic imaging reports
- Specialist letters
- Shared health summaries from GPs
- Prescription and dispensing records
- Advance Care Plans, where available.
What information can Catholic Healthcare add?
To support continuity of care, Catholic Healthcare can contribute certain documents to a resident's My Health Record, including residential care transfer summaries that assist healthcare providers during transitions between services.
Do I already have a My Health Record?
Most Australians already have a My Health Record unless they chose to opt out when the system was introduced.
We encourage residents and families to speak with their GP and other healthcare providers about keeping their record up to date. Family members or carers can also be authorised to access and manage a person's My Health Record on their behalf.
Want to find out more?
If you have any questions, please speak with your Residential Manager or Care Manager.
You can also learn more about My Health Record through the Australian Digital Health Agency's website, Learn more about My Health Record, or the Australian Government health website, About My Health Record.
By connecting to My Health Record, we are helping ensure residents receive safe, connected and high-quality care while keeping them and their families informed and involved in decisions about their health and wellbeing.
How will I know when my home has been connected to my Health Record?
You will be notified by your home’s residential manager when your home is connected