Kaipara Medical Centre's new online health portal is gradually attracting locals keen to take more control in managing their own health. Called Manage My Health, the free service allows patients who register for it to access a range of features from their computer or via a smartphone or tablet app.

Patients can book their own appointments, seeing at a glance which doctors are available and when, and can order repeat prescriptions. They can also access their medical records, including lab results, immunisation records, allergies, and prescription history. Doctors notes may be added in future. All information is securely encrypted. Patients are notified by email and/or text when new records go online.

Currently only around 350 Kaipara Medical Centre patients have signed up for the service, and about 230 of those have activated their online accounts. The aim, says nurse manager Selina Halewood, is to get 80 percent of the practice's 6300 patients using the system. She says at this stage it has been mainly patients in the 40 to 60 years age group that have joined, and she is keen to encourage younger patients to sign up as well, saying it is important they "independently think about their health".

The Manage My Health system also allows patients to update their personal information, including such things as whether they want to be an organ donor. It also lets users create health and fitness goals and keep track of them. Patients can register in person at reception, or phone 420 8400 to receive an activation code. Each patient needs an individual email address, and Selina recommends against using business emails due to the personal nature of the system.

Published in Helensville News July 2016