January 2010

W100002-Hlth

PATIENTS SET TO ACCESS MEDICAL RECORDS AND BOOK GP APPOINTMENTS ONLINE

- Health Minister announces funding for new NHS website -

Health Minister Edwina Hart has announced £1.7 million of funding for a new website which will allow patients to check their medical records at the click of a mouse.

‘My Health Online’ - a bilingual NHS Wales website - will also let people order repeat prescriptions and book appointments with their GP.

Other features of the site will include advice and information to help patients manage health conditions. It will link to the existing NHS Direct Wales website.

Mrs Hart said:

“The demand for online GP services is increasing and we recognise that providing accessible information is critical if we want to enable people to change their lifestyles and improve their health.

Newyddion News “The Welsh Assembly Government is also committed to improving access to health services for people living in rural communities. My Health Online will particularly save lengthy journeys to GP practices.

“The website will also help empower people to take responsibility for their own health through the completion of a health diary which can be shared with their GP.”

Work will now start on developing the exact details and requirements of the website.

For more information please contact Paula Hughes on 029 2089 8100.

Notes

More information about the Welsh Assembly Government’s Rural Health Plan can be found at:

Ty Hywel Ffôn * Tel 029 20821823 Bae Caerdydd ▪ Bay Ffacs * Fax 029 2089 8560 CF99 1NA :

http://wales.gov.uk/topics/health/nhswales/healthstrategy/ruralhealth/publications/ru ralhealthplan/?lang=en

To contact NHS Direct Wales, call 0845 46 47 or visit www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk

Ty Hywel Ffôn * Tel 029 20821823 Bae Caerdydd ▪ Cardiff Bay Ffacs * Fax 029 2089 8560 CF99 1NA :