GHA staff to access patient records on home visits

Doctors, nurses and staff at the Gibraltar Health Authority will now be able to access patient records on mobile devices during home visits, said Director of Information Management and Technology Heath Watson.

The policy was discussed at a GHA Board Meeting yesterday at John Mackintosh Hall, and it was agreed select staff could use mobile devices away from St Bernard’s Hospital to access clinical data.

The meeting was held by Minister for Health Dr John Cortes, with Chief Executive Fred Pitto, and Chief Secretary Ernest Gomez. GHA staff and members of the public attended including GSD Shadow Minister Roy Clinton.

“It will be used to access patient data within the community,” Mr Watson said. “It could be used for home visits or community workers who are visiting patients outside of GHA grounds.”

Dr Cortes added the idea behind the new policy was that staff outside GHA premises will be able to access the information remotely on a mobile device.

The GHA will offer staff a limited range of handsets and mobile devices, but staff receiving these devices must meet certain criteria, and the device must be password protected.

The policy was formally accepted at yesterday’s meeting.