Australian gov't wants pathology, diagnostic reports sharing to MHR by default

The Australian Department of Health and Aged Care will be requiring both public and private providers of pathology and diagnostic imaging to share their reports to My Health Record by default. 

Prior to this, patients are reportedly waiting seven days before they can access their imaging reports on My Health Record. "We will be removing this delay for all pathology and diagnostic imaging reports," the department said in a statement. 

Healthcare providers will be assisted by the Australian Digital Health Agency in meeting this new requirement. The department claimed that this change, which follows the recommendations made by the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce, will make it easier for healthcare providers to coordinate care and access information and empower patients to participate in their healthcare.

Mater's eConsultant service expands range of specialties

More specialties have been added to the eConsultant service at Mater. 

The service, which connects GPs based in regional and rural Queensland with Mater's specialists in Brisbane, initially offers access to experts in dermatology, endocrinology, and cardiology. It has now expanded to include specialists in respiratory and sleep medicine, renal medicine, neurology, infectious diseases and obstetric medicine. 

This comes as a response to "growing community need," Mater noted in a statement.

WACHS seeks digital aged care management solution

The WA Country Health Service (WACHS) is seeking a provider of a SaaS-based digital care management solution for aged care. 

It recently issued a tender for the solution, which it said will be used to manage clients within both Residential Aged Care and Community Aged Care based services. It will also "streamline and standardise processes, improve data collection, support clinical and business operations, enhance client/resident care, improve rostering and scheduling tasks, and produce informative reports."

WACHS requires the solution to be "easily scalable and allow for the expansion" of additional Community Aged Care and Residential Aged Care clients over time. 

WA expands virtual ED to mental health

The WA Virtual Emergency Department will be adding a new mental health co-response model to support more persons in crisis in their homes. 

A combination of virtual care and a mobile crisis response team, the model aims to reduce avoidable ED attendance and hospital admissions. 

From the 2024-25 State Budget, the Western Australian government has allocated A$7.9 million ($5.2 million) to establish this model. "This year's Budget is building on the work we have already started, including the expansion of WA Virtual ED to support more patients to receive the care they need in the community," said WA Premier Roger Cook.