Sharing of imaging reports to Australian MHR will be the default and include more summary information
The Australian Government does not want to share pathology and diagnosis reports with MHR by default
By default, the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care will require both public and private pathology and imaging providers to share their reports with My Health Record.
Before that, the patient was said to wait seven days before they can access their imaging reports on My Health Record. “We will eliminate this delay for all pathology and imaging reports,” the ministry said in a statement.
Healthcare providers will be supported by the Australian Digital Health Agency in meeting this new requirement. The Ministry thinks this changes, following the recommendations of Strengthening the Medicare Task Force will make it easier for health care providers to coordinate care and access information, while empowering patients to participate in their care their health.
Mater’s e-Consulting service expands the scope of expertise
Many other specialties have been added to the eConsultant service at Mater.
The service connects GP practices based in regional and rural Queensland with Mater specialists in Brisbane, initially providing access to specialists in dermatology, endocrinology and cardiovascular. It has now expanded to include specialists in respiratory and sleep medicine, nephrology, neurology, infectious diseases and obstetrics.
This is a response to “growing community needs,” Mater noted in a statement.
WACHS seeks a digital elder care management solution
The WA Country Health Service (WACHS) is looking for a provider of SaaS-based digital care management solutions for aged care.
They recently released a tender for the solution which they say will be used to manage clients in both Residential Aged Care and Community Aged Care based services. It will also “streamline and standardize processes, improve data collection, support business and clinical operations, enhance customer/resident care, improve triage tasks work and scheduling as well as generate informative reports.”
WACHS required the solution to be “easily scalable and enable the expansion” of additional Community Aged Care and Residential Aged Care customers over time.
WA expands virtual ED to mental health
The WA Virtual Emergency Department will add a new mental health co-response model to support more people in crisis in their homes.
A combination of virtual care and a mobile crisis response team, this model aims to reduce avoidable hospitalizations and emergency room visits.
From the 2024-25 State Budget, the Western Australian government has allocated A$7.9 million (US$5.2 million) to establish this model. WA Premier Roger Cook said: “This year’s Budget is building on the work we have already started, including expanding the WA Virtual ED to support more patients to receive the care they need. they are needed in the community.”
