A public enrolment campaign for Patient Access, the digital facility that allows individuals to view their own health information online, is set to start shortly.
Staff from the Government’s Family Practitioners’ team will be setting up in venues across the Island and encouraging members of the public to sign up for the recently upgraded digital service.
Once signed up, users of Patient Access will be able to view, book and cancel any routine GP appointments, order repeat medications, see details of immunisations, prescribed medications and allergies as well as details of all their interactions with their GP, including appointments, symptoms and diagnoses.
In addition, the new service will deliver all laboratory test results to Patient Access users after they have been reviewed by the patient’s GP.
That means users will have details of results including blood tests and pathology findings without having to wait for the next GP appointment or contact from their doctor.
The sign-up sessions are being held at the following venues, with a range of dates starting in February.
Ramsey Wed 15th Feb 10.00 am – 12 noon Ramsey Town Hall
Peel Thu 16th Feb 1.30 pm -3.00 pm House of Mannanan
South Fri 17th Feb 9.00 am -11.00 am Thie Rossian Health Community Centre (old Southlands), Station Road, Port Erin
Douglas Fri 17th Feb 12.00 noon -2.00 pm Main Area, Sea Terminal, Douglas
Douglas Thu 23rd March 11.00 am – 1.30 pm Main area, Sea Terminal, Douglas
Anyone who wishes to sign up for Patient Access will need to be over 16 years old and bring photographic ID (driving licence or passport) with them to their preferred session.
In a display of support for the campaign - and for Patient Access too - Government staff have been queuing in large numbers to sign up for the service, in Government buildings across the Island, from Noble’s Hospital to Central Government Offices in Douglas.
More that 450 Government employees have now signed up to Patient Access. Overall, just under 10% of those registered with an Isle of Man GP have registered for the service.
Commenting on the initiative, Minister for Health and Social Care, Kate Beecroft MHK, said: “Patient Access puts patients in the driving seat when it comes to managing their own healthcare, and I’m so pleased to support an initiative like this which is going to help more people get access to this superb service. That’s why it’s great to see so many people across Government signing up as well. I’m sure that this will encourage even more members of the public to join, and that’s something all of the team here fully support and believe in.”
Echoing the comments of the Minister, Richard Wild, Director, Government Technology Services (GTS), said: “This is another example of how our Digital Strategy continues to go from strength to strength. Patient Access is one of the many ways that the strategy can really deliver benefits to people in the Isle of Man. All of us at GTS are happy to support this campaign, both inside Government and in the wider community as well.”
Annmarie Cubbon, Head of Primary Care Commissioned Services, also endorsed the new campaign. “This is further proof of how strongly we believe that patients should be given greater control and improved accessibility when it comes to their own healthcare,” she said. “And it’s great to see so many Government staff members stepping up and leading the way.”
