eHealth Program Officer: Michele Breed Ph: 5229 1922

E-Communication Participants (updated weekly)

• 22 Specialists now sending to General Practice using ReferralNet electronic messaging.  For list, please click here
• 25 Allied Health Professionals are now sending to General Practice
• 267 GPs now receiving using ReferralNet electronic messaging.
• 971 messages sent in December 09.
• 1205 messages sent in January.
• 1,947 messages sent in February
• 6,544 messages sent to date!

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 GP Association of Geelong 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....

Information Night for Allied Health Professionals

GPAG held a “Getting eConnected with General Practice” information night for Allied Health Professionals on Wednesday 25^th November.  A high level of interest ensured a successful event with a capacity attendance of 37 AHPs, some representing clinics with multiple professionals. Read More.....

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 GPAG.  Contact us.