Western Health has transitioned to HealthLink as our sole Secure Messaging Delivery (SMD) provider for clinical documentation. From 15 October 2024, patient clinical correspondence for GP practices and clinicians will be sent via HealthLink.
Once fully implemented, HealthLink will replace most traditional methods of correspondence, with Western Health only sending clinical correspondence exclusively through electronic delivery.
Clinical documentation sent via HealthLink includes:
- Clinician letters
- Cancer multidisciplinary meetings
- Inpatient/Emergency discharge summaries
- Pharmacy medication lists
- Referral encounters
- Referral outcomes
- Outpatient appointments
- Inpatient admissions
- Inpatient discharges
- Death notifications of inpatients and in Emergency Departments.
Effective December 2024, PulseNet will no longer be used to send clinical documentation, such as:
- Mother/baby discharge summaries
- Endoscopy reports
- Cardiology investigations.
These documents will transfer to HealthLink in early 2025. Until then, they will be sent via fax or File Share (email-based).
Steps to Transition to HealthLink
While our GPIU can assist you with the transition to receive clinical documentation via HealthLink, to ensure you receive clinical correspondence from Western Health, follow these steps as soon as possible.
1. Update and Verify Contact Details in the National Health Services Directory (NHSD)
All clinics and the individual providers operating in clinics must verify and update their details directly with the National Health Services Directory (NHSD). Please ensure your practice details and all providers operating at your GP practice are up to date in the NHSD, including fax numbers.
For new registrations: Use the "Register Now" button on the HealthDirect website to complete the online form.
For existing listings: Click "Suggest an Edit" on your clinic's page on the HealthDirect website and update your listing, including fax numbers, using the online form.
2. HealthLink Registration and Configuration
If you haven’t already registered with HealthLink, we encourage you to do so by completing a HealthLink Application and correctly configuring the HealthLink client with your clinic's Practice Management Software.
Ensure that your staff are familiar with accessing clinical documents within HealthLink.
If you are already registered with HealthLink, please ensure that your listing is up to date and link all practitioners to your clinic's HealthLink Electronic Digital Identifier (EDI). The clinic's EDI can be accessed via the HealthLink Provider Directory.
For support, email HealthLink at [email protected] or call 1300 145 465.
Once you have a HealthLink account linked to your provider number, you will begin to receive clinical correspondence from Western Health, as part of a phased transition.
3. Clinics who are not registered with HealthLink
If your clinic does not use Practice Management Software (PMS), or your PMS is incompatible with HealthLink, you will continue to receive Western Health clinical correspondence via electronic fax, provided your NHSD listing is up to date.
If you require support transitioning to or adopting a PMS, contact the Northwest Melbourne Primary Health Care Improvement Team on [email protected] or 03 9347 1188.
My Health Record
Western Health will continue uploading discharge summaries, pathology and diagnostic reports to My Health Record, for patients who have provided consent.
Support
Our General Practice Integration Unit is available to assist GPs and Practice Managers with the Transition to HealthLink Improvement Project. For questions or help with clinical documentation, contact GPIU projects or call 8345 1735.
