eHealth Program Officer

Michele Breed Ph: 5229 1922

Program summary

A recurring theme from GP surveys has been to reduce the increasing volumes of paper correspondence coming into General Practice. Specialist to GP communication is high volume so the Barwon Medicare Local set out to look for a modern solution to address this need. An e-health needs assessment was conducted on Specialists’ requirements for electronically communicating with GPs in the Geelong region. Whilst the response was positive, the Division was conscious that we were looking at more than just a messaging system, we were looking at a change management approach that would maximise the uptake of e-communication.  Read more....

What is ReferralNet?

ReferralNet is a secure messaging system from Global Health.

ReferralNet Update

Referralnet continues to grow, the number of Specialists now using referralnet has reached 100.  More specialists are requesting to get on board every week .  Allied Health also shows strong growth, as we explore getting Optometrist and Dentists on board in the very near future.   St John of God Hospital is now using ReferralNet and this has increased messaging volumes significantly.

In addition to Private practices Bellarine Community Health Centre is now using ReferralNet, Barwon Health Community Palliative services and Barwon Health's Community Rehabilitation information and access services, all recent additions to the referralnet directory.

We are now pleased to advise that the service is becoming very much a two way correspondence pathway, many GP practices are now able to send referrals and correspondence and we are pleased to report an increase in the traffic being generated from General Practice.  

Full list of all Referralnet Users as of Nov 20th  in PDF
Full list of all Referralnet users as of Nov 20th in a Spreadsheet

Collection of weekly address book modifications as per email notifications:

ReferralNet Stats: Total messages sent 117,536....as of 30th September, last 2 months messages over 8,000 per month

 Medicare announcement on electronic referrals

Medicare recently announced that they have adjusted (relaxed) their requirements for electronic referral. The new guidelines simply require that a “stored electronic transmission is unaltered and unalterable”. This means an electronic referral doesn’t need to be digitally signed but can simply be encrypted and sent using ReferralNet and your location certificate.  More information available at the Medicare site or contact our eHealth team at Barwon Medicare Local. 

For more information, please contact Michele Breed Ph: 52220800