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HUTT HOSPITAL

Published Tuesday 21 Jun 2016

Trustworthy, reliable and accurate healthcare information is now available at the touch of a button for patients and the public in the greater Wellington region.

Trustworthy, reliable and accurate healthcare information is now available at the touch of a button following the launch of a new webpage targeted at patients and the public in the greater Wellington region.

The new page is hosted on the Health Navigator website – an online ‘one-stop shop’ for free health information and resources. You can 'bookmark' health navigator for all of your online health information needs

“The internet has all the information anyone could ever want, and it’s now second nature for people to use the web to research their symptoms and illnesses,” said Service Integration & Development Unit Acting Director Sandra Williams.

“But so much of what’s online is inaccurate. This can lead people to incorrect self-diagnoses and bad decisions – such as delaying a visit to their GP.”

To counter this, the region’s three DHBs – Capital & Coast, Hutt Valley and Wairarapa – looked at how best to deliver information and resources online.

After considering the health information websites available in New Zealand, the DHBs chose Health Navigator as the best option to put reliable information and resources at people’s fingertips.

“Our communities now have quick, easy and free access to the information they want and need – as well as healthcare events happening in their area. They can get the information they need, without having to scroll through page after page of possibly incorrect health advice,” Sandra said.

“This improves their understanding of issues and treatment, increases confidence, and helps make their journey with health professionals more collaborative and less stressful.”

The website’s free online health information also supports our Clinical Pathways project.

“Research has shown that half the number of patients leave hospital or a medical consult without understanding the clinician's advice,” says Dr Janine Bycroft, clinical directorand founder of the Health Navigator Charitable Trust.

“Patient learning, understanding and engagement are enhanced when people are able to share in the decision-making about their health and given quality written or online information to review after seeing the nurse or doctor,” Dr Bycroft says.

Key features of the Health Navigator website include:

● Trusted online health information designed for New Zealanders, by New Zealanders

● Quick, easy to use, jargon-free health and wellbeing information

● Evidence-based, independent and clinically reviewed resources with links to clinical pathways

● Focus on improving health literacy, self-care and behaviour change

● Expanding video and app libraries (with apps that have been reviewed by colleagues)

● Clinician’s section with a wide range of resources

● No advertising

● Covers the top 10 reasons people go online for health information, including:

  • symptoms of 100s of health conditions
  • treatment information
  • easy to read medication information, tests and procedures
  • disease prevention, self-help information and lifestyle advice
  • services and support.

Contact admin@healthanvigator.org.nz for promotional posters and display cards, plus wallet cards to give patients.