First My Health Record connected town

The community of Berrigan in NSW is the first town in Australia where all key healthcare providers are connected and using My Health Record.

The local general practice, pharmacy, aged-care centres and the local hospital are all connected to the system.

In addition, more than 50% of the town’s population of around 950 people and every resident in the aged-care facility has an active My Health Record.

“In my experience, small rural communities have an inspiring sense of community spirit and connectedness,” said Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) acting CEO Melissa Neal.

“This achievement for Berrigan demonstrates the town’s community strength, the foresight of the local health professionals and the town’s willingness to uptake digital health technology.”

“The Australian Medical Association has said that the My Health Record is the future of modern medicine in Australia,” said Australian Digital Health Agency CEO Tim Kelsey.

“The fact that a small rural town is the first to be fully connected instantly demonstrates the fundamental human value that digital health provides in terms of improving healthcare access and equity to all Australians no matter where they live.”

More than 5.5 million Australians already have a My Health Record, and everyone will have one created for them by December 2018 unless they choose to opt out during a defined three-month period.

Pictured: Sussan Ley MP, Australian Digital Health Agency CEO Tim Kelsey, Agency Chief Medical Adviser Meredith Makeham, MPHN Director Clinical Services Julie Redway, MPHN staff and community members.

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