The Allan Labor Government is reducing paperwork for doctors and nurses to deliver better and faster care with the modernisation of medical records now underway in Gippsland.
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas today announced $12 million in funding will be invested over the next four years to support Gippsland health services to upgrade their systems and delivering safer and more patient-centred care for the region.
Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) streamline tasks, reduce the manual writing of reports and prescriptions, and give healthcare workers easy and fast access to vital patient information, improving care coordination and increasing efficiency and productivity.
The Gippsland Health Alliance will complete the digitisation of the remaining public hospitals in the region by extending its Altera Sunrise digital system to:
Gippsland Southern Health Service
Kooweerup Regional Health Service
Omeo District Health
Orbost Regional Health
South Gippsland Hospital
Yarram and District Health Service
This will be a significant step towards digitising health care in the region, which will support home-based and virtual care programs – keeping patients connected and able to access quality care no matter where they live.
Victoria’s Digital Health Roadmap prioritises the replacement of paper-based records at all Victorian public health services. Digitisation removes the risk of staff misinterpreting poorly written or deteriorating physical records while also providing a place for patient information to be securely stored.
Digitising medical records is also a priority of the Labor Government’s Health 2040: Advancing Health, Access, and Care plan, which highlights the importance of using technology to improve outcomes for patients.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas
“Our state’s digital health roadmap is a blueprint for building a health system that can deliver world-class care for all Victorians no matter where they live in the state.”
Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing
“Modernising these medical record systems ensures Gippsland will benefit from a safer and more efficient system when they are getting care.”
Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh
“Upgrading the medical record system ensures our region can provide our community the best healthcare available close to their homes.”
Reviewed 21 November 2023