Doctors, hospitals and health specialists across the state will have easier access to the records of patients in the region following a $4.3 million grant to the Grampians Rural Health Alliance.
The alliance will develop a shared electronic medical record database to collate patient information that can be accessed from anywhere at any time.
Alliance executive officer David Ryan welcomed the funding, which had been “on the waiting list” for three years and would roll out the electronic system and ease the pressure on hospitals and patients.
“We need to be able to move from the paper to the electronic form [of patient data],” he said.
“It’s about making sure people have access to the record and it’s up to date – because if it’s on paper, it’s not likely to have the most up-to-date information.”
Mr Ryan said there would not be a complete overhaul of the system. Rather, the system would be updated to include this new function.
He believes it will be another two years before the transition is complete. Patients will be given the freedom to choose which hospital, doctor or nurse can access their medical file.
“Patients will have the confidence to say, ‘I want that doctor or nurse involved’,” Mr Ryan said.
“So they will have a choice as to who gets access to the system. Our aim is to have western Victorians connected to GPs and specialists.”
Mr Ryan believes diagnosis will be faster and more accurate after introduction of the electronic recording system.
“Bacchus Marsh residents have access to some urgent-care facilities. However, this will help get the information about the patient to the right people, so diagnosis can be made faster and appropriate treatment can be identified quicker.”
GRHA will eventually introduce electronic prescriptions as part of the upgrade.
