Western Health is transitioning to HealthLink as its sole secure messaging delivery provider for clinical documentation.
Starting in October 2024, we will begin the transition of patient clinical correspondence for general practices and clinicians to HealthLink, aiming to complete this process by the end of 2024.
What is secure messaging?
Secure messaging facilitates the delivery of clinical documents and other information between health care organisations. Messages can be sent directly or through a secure messaging provider, ensuring efficient and secure communication across the health care system.
Visit the Australian Digital Health agency to learn more about secure messaging.
About HealthLink
Western Health already uses HealthLink for radiology reports and has expanded our agreement to include new services for transmitting clinical documentation to GPs, GP clinics and other primary health care providers.
Preparing for the transition to HealthLink
In July 2024, we commenced a pilot with a small group of GP clinics to test our new clinical correspondence workflows. We greatly appreciate the GP community’s support for a seamless implementation that enhances patient care and safety.
We have successfully piloted the correspondence with the test group, focusing on clinician letters, cancer multi-disciplinary meetings, inpatient/emergency discharge summaries and pharmacy medication lists.
The second phase of the pilot, which has just concluded, has expanded the correspondence to include referral encounters, referral outcomes, outpatient appointments, inpatient admissions and discharges, and death notifications of inpatients and in emergency departments.
From October 2024, the documents trialled during the pilot will be made available to all GPs as part of the transition to HealthLink and the decommissioning of PulseNet. Therefore, GPs and/or practice managers must take these next steps as soon as possible and no later than Friday, 15 November 2024 to ensure you receive electronic clinical documentation from Western Health.
Our aim is to ensure there is a smooth transition, so please do not hesitate to let us know if you notice any changes or have queries about patient clinical correspondence during this process.
Click here to read Western Health’s full letter to GPs and practice managers within the NWMPHN catchment.
Disclaimer: This article was provided by Western Health. While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate, North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network does not warrant or represent the accuracy, currency and completeness of any information or material included within.
