21 November 2005

Minister launches Electronic Patient Record System at Lithgow

Lithgow residents will benefit from enhanced health services and faster diagnosis thanks to new, state-of-the-art communications technology and computer applications launched by NSW Minister for Health John Hatzistergos today.

The Minister was joined by Member Bathurst Gerard Martin at Lithgow Hospital to launch the $725,000 electronic clinical records administration system.

Mr Hatzistergos said the new system was a substantial investment by the NSW Government that would allow doctors access to test results through an on-line system, resulting in patients receiving treatment faster.

"The system gives doctors and visiting medical officers secure, remote online access to blood and X-ray results for their patients admitted to Lithgow and Portland hospitals, from their general practice," Mr Hatzistergos said.

"The new information technology systems are aimed at improving efficiency and access to patients' clinical results for doctors and specialists working within, and outside of, Lithgow Hospital," he said.

"This has reduced the reliance upon paper-based reporting and enabled quicker delivery of clinical results to front-line care providers which means a faster more efficient delivery of health services for the patient.

"The rollout of the improved information technology systems began in March this year with the introduction of the patient administration system i.P.M. The latest instalment is the clinical information system Cerner PowerChart Millennium.

"The implementation of this interface between Lithgow Hospital and the Cerner PowerChart Millennium is the latest in a series of information technology projects to benefit the community since Lithgow Hospital was introduced into the fold of Sydney West Area Health Service in January this year.

Member for Bathurst Gerard Martin said the new technologies improved the tools staff needed to support the delivery of health services in the Lithgow local government area.

"Links to both Nepean and Westmead Hospitals have been established providing benefits to the community associated with such major teaching health services," Mr Martin said.

Mr Hatzistergos said the new system meant that no matter where someone lived within Sydney West Area Health Service, high-quality health care was readily available.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au