My Health kits dispatched

THE Australian Digital Health Agency has begun distributing almost 20,000 education kits nationally as part of its efforts to inform health practitioners and agency partners on the expansion of the My Health Record initiative.

The kits contain a mix of consumer facing materials on the benefits of My Health Record, as well as details on privacy and security controls, examples of data included and information on how people can opt out or learn more.

The toolkits also provide brochures, factsheets, posters, notepads, tent cards and repeat script folders, and will be sent to community pharmacies, general practitioners, Aboriginal health services and hospitals by Fri.

“The toolkits delivered will empower our 30,000 pharmacists to have well informed conversations with their patients to help deliver safer and more effective care,” said Pharmaceutical Society of Australia national president Dr Shane Jackson.

The kits are part of a $114 million investment in consumer communication for the scheme, which will be expanded to cover all Australians by the end of this year.

Pharmacy Guild national president George Tambassis said community pharmacy was the most accessible community healthcare destination and had always been at the forefront of digital innovation.

“My Health Record will foster better collaboration across the healthcare sector, and so it is cruicial those responsible for delivering and advising on these services are empowered to do so by resources like the toolkits shared by the Agency,” he said.

The Digital Health Agency said the kits would help Australians make informed decisions during the optout period for My Health Record, which begins on Mon and runs until 15 Oct.