My Health Record Could Save Lives

A person’s life can be saved in an emergency with an online healthn record, according to the chief executive officer of the National Rural Health Alliance.

Mark Diamond has urged all country people to have a My Health Record – an online summary of all their health
information.

“Country people are more likely to be brought into an emergency department from a heart attack, car accident or diabetic coma.

“If they’re unconscious, the emergency team is in the dark about whether their patient is allergic to penicillin, if they have a pacemaker, and what medications they’re taking. My Health Record can tell them all that critical information.”

Country people are 25 per cent more likely to suffer from coronary heart disease. They are 40 per cent more likely to die from diabetes , and they are five times as likely to die from a road accident in remote areas.

The Alliance is urging all of its 34 national member organisations working in rural and remote health to back the My Health Record system.

Mr Diamond said there are many other reasons country people should make sure they have a My Health Record.

“Country people have less access to health services, so they delay getting treatment, and are generally diagnosed later than their city counterparts.

“That means treatment options are often more invasive, and those people are significantly more likely to be hospitalised when they do seek help.alth Record, and the system is expanding.”

For more information on My Health Record, including how to opt out, head to myhealthrecord.gov.au.