A new online health record is coming — from the same place you get your driver's licence
N.L. launching new online service to improve access to the province's health care system
Newfoundland and Labrador is launching a new online service to improve access to the province's health-care system, with residents able to find out details of their care without having to call a doctor's office.
Starting in February, about 5,000 patients over 16 will be able to access their own personal health records through MyGovNL — the same service where people can access motor registration to renew their licence, for example.
MyGovNL — coined MyHealthNL for the health-care aspect — will now give access to laboratory results, dispensed medications, radiology reports and allergies.
In addition, residents can also access mental health and health information resources.
An active MCP card is required, along with a valid driver's licence or ID from the Motor Registration Division.
"Starting in the spring, we anticipate another 50,000 people will be added each month," Health Minister Tom Osborne told reporters on Wednesday, adding about 300,000 people already use MyGovNL.
"The new service will help reduce administrative burdens for physicians and primary care providers by allowing residents to receive their health information through the app."
Residents will also have the option to allow family members to access the service.
An app is being developed with an anticipated launch in the spring.
Updates to the app will follow, adding additional services such as the ability to schedule medical appointments with Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services. That includes appointments with family care teams and participating physicians.
Osborne said the service has "strong security protocols and safeguards" to protect the health information.
"Anybody else who doesn't have the technical ability to log in will also benefit. Because as people log in and are using this, the wait times for those who aren't able to log in will be shortened as well," he said. "This will benefit everybody."
Total costs are about $1.2 million annually for the personal health information aspect. The app is costing about $6 million to develop.
Meanwhile, NDP Leader Jim Dinn said he has immediate concerns.
Dinn said the online service sounds like it will only work assuming the patient already has access to a primary health provider.
"That's the issue here with what we heard," Dinn said. "It's still not addressing the human resources piece."
Dinn also said using the service will be a challenge for those without access to the internet or smartphones.
"It doesn't include everyone," he said.
Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Click here to visit our landing page.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With files from Peter Cowan
