Ever had trouble reading your GP notes? You weren't alone, and now doctors will be using computers instead of pen and paper for patient referrals.
Today Health Minister Tony Ryall announced a new scheme where GPs can now complete an electronic referral form when a patient needs to be referred to a hospital specialist for further assessment or treatment. GPs can send it at the touch of a button and receive an immediate notification that it has been received.
The initiative is designed to reduce how long patients wait for an appointment.
Mr Ryall said New Zealand general practices sent nearly half a million patient referrals electronically to public hospitals last year.
"Only a few years ago, referring a patient for specialist care was a paper based process with most GPs faxing a handwritten note to the hospital.