January 15, 2014 12:00pm by David Farrar

The healthcare portal

The face of New Zealand healthcare will change before the year is out as Kiwis are signed into patient portals allowing them to self-manage their medical records, book doctor appointments and chat to their GP online.

The new multi-million dollar electronic healthcare system is a hybrid of internet banking and social networking – giving patients a secure account to view their medical records and test results, but also a private platform to instantly message their GP.

National health IT board director Graeme Osborne said the patient portal service was “ground-breaking”. It would empower Kiwis to take control of their own healthcare.

More than 50 per cent of the country’s general practices would be using the service by the end of 2014, he said.

“This is more than a hope. Each region and each district in New Zealand will roll this out.”

Online services would initially include a list of the patient’s medical conditions and medications, notifications when laboratory test results were available, the ability to book doctor appointments and order repeat prescriptions online and a messaging system to email GPs for health advice.

That would be great. I’d love being able to book appointments online and being able to access my own test results.