New program allows Nova Scotians to access medical records, book appointments online

Nova Scotians gain access to online medical docs Nova Scotians will soon be able to access their medical records online. CTV’s Sarah Ritchie reports.

A new program unveiled on Thursday will soon allow all Nova Scotians to access their medical records and book doctor’s appointments online.

Starting July 28, every Nova Scotian can sign up with the program and create their online profile. However, until all of the province’s family doctors are online, not everyone will be able to access test results and specialist reports.

The Department of Health says MyHealthNS is the first of its kind in Canada.

Participating doctors say the new online tool will help recruit a new generation of physicians.

“Young physicians are looking for a place to practice, that suits their lifestyle, and that shows efficiency,” says Dr. Stewart Cameron.

The province is investing $3.3 million, and the federal government is contributing $10million. Federal Health Minister Jane Philpott says projects like this are the way forward for Canadian health care, making the system more efficient for doctors and patients.

“When I can go online and book an appointment to get my nails done, how come I can’t go online and book an appointment with my health care provider?” says Philpott.

However, security experts warn health care data is a popular target for hackers. McKesson Canada manages the technology and promises it is secure.

“We’ve got to meet the same requirements that a financial institution and others of those kinds would have to meet,” says George Attar of McKesson Canada.

Catherine and Mike Cullen are two of the 6,000 patients who’ve been testing out MyHealthNS.

“It’s regular bloodwork and booking appointments,” says Catherine Cullen. “If we go and get bloodwork done, we know basically at the same time, he knows whether we have to go back and see him.”

The $13.3-million program will be implemented over three years. The Department of Health says all Nova Scotia hospitals will be using the portal by next spring.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Sarah Ritchie