Health Minister Encourages Use Of My Care Patient Portal

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt is urging people to sign up for the My Care patient portal, which provides access to digital medical records.

The My Care portal allows patients and service users to view their healthcare information through an app or web browser on their digital devices. This initiative coincides with the transition from paper to electronic patient records through the implementation of the encompass system.

Patients and service users in the South Eastern and Belfast Health and Social Care Trust areas, where encompass is already operational, can now create a My Care account to access their personal health records. Those in the Northern, Southern, and Western Health and Social Care Trusts will be able to access their information via My Care once encompass is implemented in their respective areas.

Minister Nesbitt emphasised the benefits of using the My Care portal, highlighting its convenience and accessibility for patients. Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt said: "My Care provides patients with access to information on their care in the palm of their hands. Building on the transformation to electronic patient records facilitated by encompass, this patient portal provides personalised and secure online access to information including medical appointments, medication and some test results. This is truly revolutionary in empowering patients to take an active role in their healthcare and wellness.

"I would encourage patients to create a My Care account so they can access information as it becomes available in their Trust area."

Dan West, Chief Digital Information Officer at the Department of Health and Head of Digital Health and Care Northern Ireland, said: "My Care is a further step forward in the delivery of our Digital Strategy, which aims to improve health and care outcomes by developing new ways for people to access health services through digital transformation. I am delighted to support raising awareness of the portal."

The HSCNI Senior Responsible Owner for encompass, Dr Dermot Hughes, said: "My Care is an important component running alongside the introduction of encompass and has huge benefits for patients. We are continuing with work to roll out encompass across the remaining three Trust areas and have no doubt that My Care will play a significant part in its success."

Patients can continue to receive traditional communication such as appointment letters alongside My Care. Patients may also permit proxy access to third parties such as a carer or family member to assist with managing their care should they wish.