What is health passport?
Anyone with a long-term condition or disability, who has support needs, could benefit from using a Health Passport.
This has information about your health that belongs to you. You choose to write in it what you want a health professional to know about you. Examples could be how you want to be communicated with, or what gives you anxiety.
Using this tool means you don’t have to repeat yourself all the time and have a way of communicating with staff when you might not be able to.
Getting the most out of your Health Passport:
- Complete it as soon as you receive it (don't wait until you have to visit a hospital).
- Keep it safely with your other medical records (with your medical file or other records that you may take to a hospital).
- Remember to take it with you every time you visit a hospital.
- Inform reception staff that you have a Health Passport when you go to a hospital.
- Keep your Health Passport close to your bed at all times when in the hospital.
- Remind all hospital staff who work with you to read the Passport.
- Remember to take your Passport with you when you return home.
Read more about the Health Passport on the Health and Disability Commissioner's website.