By Afraa Kori
In 1959, a little boy named Leigh became one of the first Australians to receive open-heart surgery.
Over six decades later, the Pakenham resident is still taking on new initiatives in health.
At just the tender age of six, Leigh, who was born with two congenital heart defects, recalls the innovative medical technology that saved his life.
“If I was born five years earlier, I probably wouldn’t be here today,” Leigh said.
“Nobody kept exact data in those days, but we are unsure if I’m the last surviving person of that initial group of patients at The Alfred Hospital.
“There were about 40 people that were done, including kids like me, between June and December 1959. I was done in November 1959. Five or six didn’t survive. The Alfred Hospital was only one of two places doing the surgery in Australia at the time.”
Little Leigh was in surgery for four-and-a-half hours, owing his life to the Alfred team led by pioneering surgeon Dr Kenneth Morris, who performed the first open-heart surgery operation in Australia in 1955.
Incredibly, the groundbreaking surgery included the use of a heart-lung machine, which had been made by hospital staff in 10 days out of parts collected from Melbourne’s food and beverage factories.
“This thing that was keeping me alive looked just like an old Coke machine, but it worked,” Leigh recalled.
Luckily, Leigh has gone on to lead a happy and healthy life, devoting much of his working life to yoga teaching. He helped establish a yoga teaching association in Victoria which became Yoga Australia.
Now 71, Leigh has undergone several heart surgeries over the years and takes regular medication to control his blood pressure.
A regular user of My Health Record, Leigh is excited about the new features of my health app, including allowing users to store their electronic prescriptions and Active Script List.
Agency CEO Amanda Cattermole PSM said my health had come a long way since its launch in February 2023.
“The latest enhancements made to my health app have been made with accessibility in mind, so that all Australians can have access to their digital health information where and when they need it,” Ms Cattermole said.
“It’s now never been easier to see your prescriptions listed securely and safely in my health app.”
For Leigh, that means he no longer needs to rely on his list of medications he keeps on a small piece of paper inside his phone case.
“Where possible I prefer to use electronic prescriptions,” Leigh said.
“I take multiple medications, so if I can have that list of prescriptions on the my health app, that would be fantastic.
“I’ve found the app very easy to use. I can enter my six-digit PIN and I’m instantly in my record. It’s the easiest way to access your My Health Record. I like the fact I can get a summary of my scans.”
When he reflects on his past, he recalls the limitations of health technology that delayed his life-saving surgery.
“Before I had my operation, the technology was not available. My parents knew I needed surgery when I was three years of age. But they had to wait till I was six because the technology was just not available in Australia.”
He firmly believes that advances in health technology have vastly improved patient outcomes and experiences and urges others to embrace its benefits.
“First and foremost is to really keep in touch with the healthcare providers and don’t be afraid to ask if there’s anything new that can help with my situation,” he said.
“Don’t be afraid to use the app. It’s quick and secure, and it will really help manage things. I think it puts us as the patients and consumers in the driving seat a little bit more. I know a lot of people, especially older people, say ‘I just feel like things are out of my control’. The app enables us to be really in control, not so much in control, but on top of things because we get all the information at our fingertips.
“Another thing that I’ve learned is we’re not alone. We are in partnership with every relationship we have, whether it be our intimate relationships, our family, our healthcare team. We need to ensure that we have these sorts of relationships.”
The Heart Foundation has supported Leigh throughout his health journey and he is always happy to return the favour.
“After I had some surgery in 1991, they had a volunteer program where you call into cardiac wards of hospitals,” Leigh said.
“You would sit with patients, talk to them and ease their anxiety. It was a good way to give something back.”
During the holiday season, Leigh says he has a lot to be grateful for, as family and friends gather to celebrate the season.
“I’m lucky,” Leigh said.
“Every day I think, you know what, I’ve done well. I’ve made it to a decent age and hopefully there’s a fair few more years left. There’s plenty to be thankful for, and I am.”
Agency Chief Clinical Advisor (Medicine) Dr Amandeep Hansra said my health app is increasingly useful when people are in emergency situations.
“Diagnostic imaging and pathology reports are being shared to My Health Record in growing numbers, which allows clinicians to access critical information that is not always available in their own organisation’s health records,“ Dr Hansra said.
“Access to this information on their mobile phone through my health app will also empower consumers to take control of their health.“
The upgrade to my health app provides enhanced usability and a fresh new look.
Additional features include:
-The ability to manually add or edit medicines you are currently taking, allergies, and adverse reactions
-Options to add, update and view emergency contact information
-Options to link or delink an Active Script List (ASL) once registered with a pharmacy
-Updates to the organ donor status information.
For more information about my health app visit the digital health website or download my health app for iOS or Android from the App Store or Google Play.
