• This is a secure communication network linking healthcare providers across the continuum of care.
• The establishment of this network is funded under the Managed Health Networks Grants Program. The Managed Health Networks Grants build on activity to date in the Broadband for Health Program (uptake of business-grade services) by supporting eligible health care organisations to establish advanced broadband services with the capacity to support secure electronic messaging for HealthConnect and other e-Health activities.
• The grant has been provided to Hervey Bay City Council's wholly owned entity Widelinx Pty Ltd, the Wide Bay Division of General Practice and will be delivered by IP Systems Pty Ltd.
• This application was also strongly supported by Queensland Health, St Stephens Private Hospital and a majority of Pharmacies and Residential Aged Care Facilities in the Fraser Coast.

Q2. Who are the organisations involved in the establishment of this network?

• Widelinx Pty Ltd is a licensed telecommunications carrier wholly owned by Hervey Bay City Council.
• IP Systems Pty Ltd is a strategic partner of Hervey Bay City Council and will provide the implementation and ongoing network management of the FCMHN on behalf of Widelinx. IP Systems is also a qualified Broadband for Health provider.
• The Wide Bay Division of General Practice supports General Practice on the Fraser Coast in its central role in an integrated approach to effective primary health care.

Q3. What are the benefits of joining the Fraser Coast Managed Health Network now?

• Secure remote access to your patient records from within the network. eg from the RACF when visiting your patients, or from home if you need after hours access to your patient files. This will facilitate the development of one set of clinical records for your patients
• You will be in a position to benefit from any discharge information program developed by Queensland Health without the need for the cumbersome PKI process.
• You will be able to access video based continuing education sessions such as Queensland Health Royal Brisbane Hospital Lunchtime Clinical Grand Rounds from your rooms.
• Fast access to many professional information resources
• The network will support enhanced communication between healthcare providers and hence positively impact the management of chronic diseases in the community.
• Connecting to the network now, including the set up of video conferencing equipment in your practice, is FREE.

Q4. Will this be the only such network in Australia?

• No, already the participants of Eastern Goldfields Reference Site have elected to sustain their network at the end of the research project and are now known as Gold Health.
• The Townsville region has also been successful in their application for a Network Development Grant.
• The Commonwealth anticipated 5 or 6 managed health networks would be developed from the funding they have made available at this time.

Q5. What happens to my patient records if my practice joins the Fraser Coast Managed Health Network?

• Nothing happens to your patient records or other practice information- it remains yours.
• Only you and your authorised staff can access any of your information.

Q6. Where is my practice data stored?

• Your information remains stored where it is currently stored.

Q7. How can it be FREE to join the network?

• The Managed Network Development Grant awarded to Widelinx Pty Ltd, and its consortia partners, is to establish the network to provide the benefits outlined above. That means the equipment needed, including routers and switching equipment, access to the fibre based Widelinx network and video conferencing equipment will be provided at no cost to participants joining within the period of the grant.

Q8 How long is this grant money available for?

• This grant is a twelve-month grant from the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aging. This Grant was awarded to Widelinx Pty Ltd and its consortia partners on the 28th June 2006. Therefore, to enjoy the benefits you must join by 28th June 2007.

Q9. Will I have to upgrade my computers to be able to join the network?

• In most cases, NO. Any computer system that has a 10/100 network connection (commonly known as an Ethernet Port) will be able to be connected to the network. This means that just about any computer will be suitable.

Q10. Do I have to change my phone system?

• NO, you will not have to change your phone system, the media converter needed to place your calls over the network will be provided as part of your network connection.

Q11.What are the benefits of IP telephony for my practice?

• The IP telephony over the FCMHN will be an enterprise grade phone service meeting the world standard for telephone services (G.711). This means that your IP voice calls are as clear and as crisp as a voice call can be.
• A key benefit will be the greatly reduced telephone call costs compared to a standard Telstra service.
• For example calls between FCMHN members are free, calls to other customers of the Widelinx network are free, calls to capital cities are at untimed local call costs, and other call rates are very competitive.
• In addition your line rental is included in your monthly service access fee (so no additional line rental charges- a significant saving to the practice).
• Administration of costs will be improved, as you will receive only one invoice for all your telephone and Internet charges.

Q12. Who are "other Widelinx Customers"?

• The Widelinx network will provide for our community new communications services previously only available to Australia's biggest companies. Our residents will have access to innovative telephone and broadband services, with new powerful features, high performance and cost savings.
• The two foundation Widelinx customers are Torbay Retirement Village and the University of Southern Queensland.

Q13. Will other Widelinx customers have access to the FCMHN applications?

• NO, the FCMHN is a private network for health services providers only, within the umbrella of the Widelinx network. This means all FCMHN members will benefit from being on the Widelinx network, without compromising the integrity of the FCMHN.

Q14. What are the benefits of the Widelinx Network?

• Again the key benefit is an extension of the free calls between Network members – this will include calls between other Widelinx business customers and FCMHN members.

Q15. What happens to the broadband for health subsidy I currently receive?

• IP Systems is a qualified provider under the Commonwealth Broadband for Health program so you will continue to receive your Broadband for Health subsidy after you join the FCMHN.

Q16. What happens to my contract with my current Internet supplier?

• Any contract with an Internet provider may have penalties for breaking the contract early. You will need to discuss this with your current provider.

Q17. What will it cost if I decide to join the FCMHN at a later date?

• The cost will be significant and in the order of $10,000. You will lose the advantage of being part of the group process of establishing the network, as well as the subsidy the Grant provides.

Q18. Can I choose to upgrade my phones later?

• Yes, you will be able to. Widelinx will be able to advise you and your staff of the options available to do this.

Q19. Will I get a new computer?

• From funds from the grant – NO
• The Grant does not cover computers – it is to establish the network and will cover the cost of the equipment needed to connect your practice to the network. Question 9 outlines the computer requirements for participation in the network.

Q20. What impact will the installation of this equipment have on my practice?

• Typically there is not a disruption to your practice to install the equipment. The cut over to the new network and the testing to ensure your phones and Internet connections on the new network is done after hours, so when you come in the next day you are ready to work.
• The training for you and your staff will be organised in such a way to minimise any disruption to the daily demands of a busy practice.
• The training will address the 'help desk' procedures, how to use the video equipment, how to notify contacts of changes to email address, and any other issues the practice needs.

Q21. Will I have to change my email address?

• Yes, your email address will change from jsmith@bigpond >>>, or optus>>> etc to an address reflecting your membership in the FCMHN, such as jsmith@fcmh.net.au

Q22. We have established a domain name for our practice, will this have to change too?

• No your domain name can be hosted by IP Systems, the consortia partner managing the services of the FCMHN.

Q23. How do I advise everyone of my new email address?

• This will be addressed in your training materials provided to all participants when you join the network. The Widelinx support team will ensure you will be able to notify your associates easily and efficiently of your change of address.

Q24. What will be the benefits of belonging to the FCMHN in the future?

• The network will provide a secure and efficient platform for the sending and receiving of confidential patient information
• Hospital discharge information when it becomes electronic (and it will) will need to be transmitted in a secure manner to ensure patient confidentiality - The FCMHN will be a very easy way to facilitate this instead of the cumbersome PKI options.
• Discussions are opening up about the possibility of electronic transmission of prescriptions – again the FCMHN supports a confidential and secure means for this transmission.
• Around the world tele-health is providing opportunities for increasing access to the limited number of medical specialists - the FCMHN will facilitate this process for health care on the Fraser Coast.