Using Technology to Support Your Care

What is Heidi Health?

We sometimes use a secure digital tool called Heidi Health to assist with documenting your consultations. Heidi is an AI-assisted clinical documentation tool that helps create a draft summary of what is discussed during your appointment. Your clinician reviews and edits this information before anything is added to your medical record.

Heidi has been reviewed by our IT and governance teams and is considered secure and appropriate for use in our hospitals.

Why do we use it?

Heidi can help us:

  • Focus more on listening to you and understanding your concerns
  • Ensure accurate, complete and confidential clinical documentation
  • Support clearer communication with your treating team

Many patients find consultations feel more natural and less interrupted when this tool is used.

How does it work?

During your consultation, Heidi converts speech into a written transcript in real time. The audio is processed and a draft clinical note is created. The audio file is not retained after the transcription is complete.

Your clinician will then review and finalise the information for your record.

Your Choice

Your participation is voluntary and we will request your consent to use Heidi.

You are always in control:

  • You can choose not to use Heidi
  • You can ask us to pause or stop at any time
  • You can withdraw your consent at any stage, and we will stop using the tool and delete the Heidi record as required

It is your choice not to use this technology; your care will not be affected in any way.

Privacy and Data Protection

We take your privacy seriously and follow Australian privacy laws.

  • Identifying details (such as names) are removed or replaced with placeholders before processing in Heidi
  • Information is securely encrypted during transfer and storage
  • Data is handled in accordance with Australian Privacy Principles (APPs)
  • While using Heidi, your information is only accessed by your clinician and the secure IT systems used to prepare your medical notes
  • Heidi does not use your consultation information to train its AI systems

Data Handling and Retention

Heidi creates a record of your consultation and is utilised by our clinicians. The records are deleted routinely as per our policy. The Heidi system automatically deletes transcription records after 90 days.

Questions or Concerns

If you have any questions, please feel comfortable discussing them with your clinician before or during your appointment.

For more information, contact the Aurora Group Privacy Officer on privacyofficer@aurorahealth.com.au or visit Heidi Health's website below.

Heidi Health Website

 

Frequently Asked Questions

For more information visit

Heidi Health Resource Centre

What is Heidi?

Heidi is a program that helps clinicians write medical notes.

Why are we using Heidi?

  • So your clinician can focus on listening to you
  • To improve the accuracy of your medical record
  • To reduce typing during your appointment

What does Heidi do?

  • Heidi listens to the conversation
  • It turns what is said into written notes
  • Your clinician reviews the final notes
  • Only the approved notes are added to your medical record

Is my appointment recorded? No.

  • No audio is recorded or saved
  • Only written text is created
  • The notes are temporary

Do I have to agree? Yes.

Your clinician will ask for your verbal consent before using Heidi.

You can:

  • Say no – your assessment will continue as usual
  • Ask to pause or stop Heidi at any time

·         Change your mind during the appointment

If you say no or withdraw consent, Heidi is stopped and the record is deleted.

Is my information safe? Yes.

  • Your personal details are removed before processing
  • The information is encrypted and protected
  • Only your clinician can see the final notes
  • Your data is handled under Australian privacy laws

Is my information used to train AI? No.

  • Your information is not used for AI training
  • It is not sold or shared
  • It is only used to support your care

Who checks the notes? Your clinician

  • They review and finalise all notes
  • They are fully responsible for accuracy

How long are the Heidi notes kept?

  • Heidi notes are temporary
  • Once final notes are saved, the Heidi notes are deleted
  • Once deleted, they cannot be recovered