Western Health is transitioning to HealthLink as our sole Secure Messaging Delivery (SMD) provider for clinical documentation. Starting in October 2024, patient clinical correspondence for GP practices and clinicians will be sent via HealthLink, with the aim of completing this transition by the end of 2024. Once HealthLink is fully implemented, Western Health will only provide clinical correspondence electronically.
While our GPIU can assist you with the transition to receiving clinical documentation via HealthLink, it is important that you take these next steps as soon as possible and by no later than Friday, 15 November 2024 to ensure you receive clinical correspondence from Western Health.
1. Update Your 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). As an immediate action, please ensure your practice details and all providers operating at your GP practice are up to date in the National Health Services Directory (NHSD), including fax numbers.
To register on the NHSD please complete the online form found by selecting the 'Register Now' button found at the bottom of the page on the HealthDirect website If you have an existing listing, please email the NHSD team with any updates to [email protected]
This step is crucial to ensure you receive electronic clinical documentation from Western Health.
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 Patient Management System.
If you are already registered with HealthLink, please ensure that your listing is up to date and all practitioners are correctly linked 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 from September 2024, 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 the PMS is incompatible with HealthLink, you will continue to receive Western Health clinical correspondence via electronic facsmile, however this is dependent on your NHSD listing being up to date at all times.
If you require support for your practice to transition to using PMS, or a new PMS, contact the Northwest Melbourne Primary Health Care Improvement Team on [email protected] or 03 9347 1188.
My Health Record
Western Health will continue to upload discharge summaries, pathology and diagnostic reports to My Health Record, for patients who have consented for this to occur.
Support
Our General Practice Integration Unit is available to assist you with the transition to receiving clinical documentation from Western Health via HealthLink, along with providing general support. You can contact them on [email protected] or 8345 1735.
