Territorians are being urged to register for a My Health Record, which holds a secure on-line summary of their important health information…. because it could save their life.

Northern Territory Health has been a leader in the development and implementation of on-line health records for more than 10 years, and with the support of the Commonwealth Department of Health, has now completed a three-year project to transition the Territory’s My eHealth Record to the national My Health Record system.

The Territory has also become the first Australian jurisdiction to send Diagnostic Imaging Reports, an important component of an individual’s health record, to the My Health Record system.

Northern Territory Health Chief Information Officer, Stephen Moo said the majority of Territorians still needed to register for a My Health Record, as public hospitals, government and non-government health clinics as well as some GPs have the capability to send a summary of important health information to the national on-line system. 

Northern Territory Health is working closely with eHealth partners, Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory and the Northern Territory PHN to encourage participation in the My Health Record system.

“I urge individuals and healthcare providers in the Territory to work together to take full advantage of the national My Health Record system, which allows people’s health records to become portable,” Mr Moo said.

“People who have a My Health Record can agree to their record being viewed and shared by their healthcare providers, quite literally, at the push of a couple of keys, no matter where they are in the Territory or nationally.

“The bottom line is that having access to health records on-line could save your life.”

Mr Moo said that should someone from Darwin have a car crash at Borroloola, their My Health Record could be accessed by the Borroloola clinic staff to assist with their treatment and care…. and this could potentially save their life.

An estimated 30,000 of the Territory’s 240,000 people currently have a My Health Record.

Mr Moo said the completion of the Territory’s transition project to the national My Health Record system is an appropriate occasion to remind Territorians’ about the value of having the summary of their important health information stored on-line.

He encouraged all Territorians to register for a My Health Record.

CONTACT: Fred McCue 0491 212 086