My Health Record stall at Henty Field Days

Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network’s (MPHN) digital health team will have a My Health Record information stall in the Country Lifestyle Pavilion at the Henty Field Days on 18, 19 and 20 September.

Staff will be available on the day to answer all your questions about how a My Health Record works, its benefits and how you can control your privacy. They will also be delivering a presentation on the main stage of the pavilion on Tuesday, 18 September at 10:45am and Wednesday, 19 September at 1:45pm.

MPHN CEO Melissa Neal said the Henty Field Days is a wonderful opportunity for farming families to learn more about how a My Health Record could benefit them.

“We know many of our farming families face issues around accessing health care and often this means their health information is stored with various providers in a range of locations,” Ms Neal said.

“A My Health Record can provide these families with some peace of mind by having access to their own important health information. It means when they have travelled some distance, often at great expense, to see a specialist in the city or a major regional centre, they will be able to have a productive appointment and not one that is spent chasing paperwork and test results from various providers and test centres.

“But this doesn’t just apply to farming families, people living in rural and remote communities who have limited access to a range of healthcare providers and need to travel to see allied health and specialists would benefit from a My Health Record too,” she said.

Henty’s Local Health Advisory Committee Chair Mick Broughan said that after working as a stock and station agent he’s seen first-hand how getting access not only to health care, but also health records in an emergency could be the matter of life and death.

“It’s not uncommon for people living on the land to find themselves in an emergency, whether that’s from an accident or from a heart attack,” Mr Broughan said.

“It could only be once or twice in your life this happens, but your key health information like your regular medications, any medical conditions you have, or even recent blood test results could all help health professionals save your life.

“I encourage everyone attending the Henty Field Days to talk to the team to learn about My Health Record like what sorts of information can be found in a record, how data is protected, and how individuals can set access controls to further enhance their privacy,” Mr Boughan said.

MPHN will be running a colouring-in competition during the Henty Field Days for children aged 12 and under. A family movie voucher to your nearest cinema is up for grabs.

More than six million Australians have a My Health Record and in the MPHN region 95 percent of medical centres, 80 percent of pharmacies, all public hospitals, 13 aged care facilities and around 20 allied health and specialist are connected to the My Health Record.

To opt-out or to learn more about My Health Record visit www.MyHealthRecord.gov.au or call the helpline 1800 723 471.