Issue 180 - Belfast BT6 • BT7 • BT8
Patients encouraged to sign up for My Care portal
People are encouraged to sign up for access to the My Care patient portal, which allows patients and service users to view information on their digital medical record.
Economy Minister Conor Murphy is pictured at the launch of the Digital Skills Action Plan 2024-34 at Belfast Met’s e3 campus with media and journalism students and course director Lynda Bryans.
Murphy launches new Digital Skills Action Plan
Economy Minister Conor Murphy has launched a Digital Skills Action Plan for 2024-34. The Action Plan sets out how digital skills will be nurtured and supported over the next decade by creating alternative pathways into the digital sector. Speaking about the Action Plan after visiting Belfast Met’s e3 campus, the Minister said: “Investment in the skills and talent of our people is vital for our economic
success. In this age of rapid technological change and development, digital skills and a digitally competent workforce are crucial to ensuring the continued competitiveness of our businesses. “This Action Plan will support and develop digital skills, promoting the breadth
of career opportunities within the digital sector. We will create alternative pathways into the sector, with a particular focus on underrepresented groups of people and those who need additional support to access the same opportunities as others.” The Minister concluded: “Our ambition is to transform the north
into a world leading digital hub. Focusing on our digital skills will boost our economy and result in more and better job opportunities and greater earning potential, alongside improved individual wellbeing and social inclusion.”
Continued on page 7
The My Care portal gives patients instant access to information on their healthcare through their digital devices via an app or web browser. The patient portal has been created to coincide with the move from paper patient records to electronic patient records through the roll out of encompass. Patients and service users across the South Eastern and Belfast Health and Social Care Trust areas, where encompass is already live, can now access their information via the app or webpage by creating a My Care account. Patients in the Northern, Southern and Western Health and Social Care Trusts will be able to access their personal health record via My Care once encompass goes live in their Trust area. 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. Further information on My Care, including how to create a My Care account can be found at My Care – DHCNI (hscni.net)