Northern Territory
HealthConnect is a system of electronic health records that aims to improve the flow of information across the Australian health sector. It involves the electronic collection, storage and exchange of consumer health information via a secure network and within strict privacy safeguards.
HealthConnect trials test the network in a 'live' setting and have helped to identify the preferred model for HealthConnect. The national implementation of HealthConnect, to begin in South Australia and Tasmania, will have minimal impact on the trials which will continue as planned to inform the implementation process.
The Northern Territory trial is testing HealthConnect in Katherine, a rural and remote region consisting of approximately 250,000 square kilometres of tiny outback towns and Aboriginal communities. In the region a small number of public and private health service providers deliver health care to over 3000 people.
The population has a very high representation of Indigenous Australians and the region's health care providers recognise the importance of delivering culturally appropriate health care in close consultation with local communities. The population is also very mobile, meaning that individuals often seek health care from different providers in the region.
Indigenous Australians as a group have a higher burden of illness than the wider Australian population. This, coupled with remote locations, make the provision of health care challenging. Language is often a barrier to effective communication and interpreter services may not exist. HealthConnect will assist Indigenous Australians, for whom English is a second language, as it reduces their need to explain their health history to each health care provider they visit.
What does the trial aim to do?
The Northern Territory trial is testing a scaled down version of HealthConnect in a rural and remote setting. The trial aims to help the Indigenous population gain a better continuity of care across the different health services and give health care providers a better understanding of a new client's health status and their recent care history.
Of equal importance is the determination of participants' perceptions of the HealthConnect concept. For HealthConnect to gain wide acceptability, consumers must feel comfortable with the system and feel their privacy is adequately safeguarded. Indigenous Australians have particularly strong concerns regarding the privacy of their health information and the use of that information in research activities.
How does the trial work?
During the trial health information is collected, with a participant's consent, and stored in electronic form in a secure storage facility. Each time that person visits their doctor or participating health care provider, his/her information can be quickly accessed to assist in their care - but only with the participant's permission.
The information contained in HealthConnect includes a series of event summaries, briefly describing individual health events (rather than the comprehensive notes that a doctor may keep as a record of a consultation). The type of information collected includes:
- observations;
- allergies;
- tests ordered and results obtained;
- diagnoses;
- care plans agreed;
- services/treatments provided (eg immunisations);
- medications prescribed; and
- services requested (eg referrals).
The information is collected and controlled by strict security, privacy and consent frameworks. HealthConnect trials are underpinned by a national privacy framework based on the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988.
When did the trial begin?
The trial commenced in October 2002. Currently discussions are under way with both the Northern Territory Government and stakeholders about expanding the trial to a Katherine region implementation project.
Who can participate in the trial?
Indigenous and non-Indigenous people of all age groups can take part in the trial. Children may participate with carers' consent. To date more than 1,000 health consumers are taking part in the trial. All participants may withdraw from the trial at any time.
The health care providers taking part in the trial are:
- Wurli Wurlinjang Aboriginal Health Service;
- Katherine District Hospital;
- Timber Creek Health Centre;
- Yarralin Health Centre;
- Barunga Health Centre;
- Amanbidgee Health Centre;
- Bulla Health Centre;
- Manyallaluk Health Centre; and
- Binjari Health Centre.
Who is managing the trial at a local level?
Consumers, health care providers, and the Australian and Northern Territory governments are represented on a governance committee which oversees all operations of the trial. A dedicated Trial Manager and three Indigenous Project Officers provide on-the-ground training and raise awareness of HealthConnect and its benefits for both consumers and health care providers.
Further information
For further information on the Northern Territory HealthConnect Trial, click on the links below:
Northern Territory Consumer Information pamphlet (PDF 127 kb)
Northern Territory consent, privacy, complaints and consumer information documents
Northern Territory Media Releases
Alternatively, contact the Northern Territory HealthConnect trial manager, ph: (08) 8973 8640.
For general information about HealthConnect contact the HealthConnect Program Office:
Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
MDP 25, GPO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601
fax: (02) 6289 8295
email: healthconnect@health.gov.au