An easy-to-use online platform for comprehensive information on GHS beneficiaries

The General Health System, with its steady course and smooth operation, confirms daily its commitment to the fundamental values of social solidarity, justice and equal access to health services for all beneficiaries. The Health Insurance Organisation continues to work dedicatedly, collectively and methodically, ensuring the financial sustainability of the GHS and at the same time the lifelong and unhindered access of citizens to high quality health services, without any discrimination.

At the same time, however, the Organization listens to the needs of society as a whole and, where necessary, takes immediate action and measures, making substantial changes and adjustments to upgrade the health system of the services provided, while ensuring comprehensive information to the public.

Focusing on the above, the Health Insurance Organisation recently presented the launch of the "Patient's Guide", an online platform created in collaboration with the Cyprus Federation of Patients' Associations – OSAC. This is a new website that aims to provide citizens with multilevel information about the GHS, so that they can be served more effectively through the System.

In order to achieve the above objective, the "Patient's Guide", in addition to general information on the health services provided to all beneficiaries, emphasizes on informing chronic patients and their specific needs, which differentiates it from other information tools of the Organization.

The main axis of design and implementation of the website was the principle of universal and equal accessibility for all users, including people with disabilities, regardless of their particular characteristics. Therefore, legible fonts, appropriate colour contrasts, and alt images were used. The material is available in Greek and English, in the form of questions and answers, by service category.

The "Patient Guide" includes two main sections:

A) The first section concerns all services provided by the GHS. It contains information on personal and specialist doctors, medicines, laboratory tests, inpatient care, other health professionals, nurses and midwives, Accident and Emergency Departments, palliative care, and all other GHS services.

B) The second section concerns chronic patients per condition. Today, the website includes all the necessary information on the services offered through the GHS to thalassaemia, rheumatic patients, people with congenital heart diseases, diabetics, kidney patients and transplant patients, while in collaboration with OSAC, information is gradually added for other chronic diseases.

It is noted that both the questions and the answers on each page are constantly updated and enriched in order to provide the most up-to-date information regarding the GHS.

In addition, through the "Patient Guide" information is provided regarding the HIO's contact details, the submission of complaints, the management of the personal account of GHS beneficiaries, the communication with the Patients' Rights Observatory. Visitors to the website can also connect to the GHS beneficiary portal and search for the providers participating in the System.

Every citizen is called upon to give priority to his health and learn everything that concerns him, utilizing this valuable tool. Knowledge and correct information are foundations for the responsible use of the health system, ensuring that it will function smoothly and effectively, serving beneficiaries in the best possible way.

Users have access to the "Patient Guide" either directly on the website via the link https:// patientjourneycy.org or through the GHS website www.gesy.org.cy.