OTIiS (Operational, Technical and Information Services)
Formally IDGP IT Team

IDGPCONNECT.ORG.AU is a secure e-mail server, e-mails can only be accessed by Secure methods. Either via encrypted downloads to an e-mail client or using the secure website.

This initiative was derived from a grant through the Alliance of NSW Divisions (ANSWD) on behalf of the Department of Health and Ageing in 2006. The prime purpose of the initiative was to develop sustainable, efficient and secure communication networks for general practice and local health providers, and particularly for practice nurses to assist in chronic disease management.

Practice email addresses are becoming more important as patients are commonly identifying with a practice more readily than a particular doctor.

As a result of this initiative, a large percentage of Illawarra practice nurses and practices are now equipped with IDGP Connect email accounts.

Access secure web mail
Download an IDGPCONNECT application form

General Info

Purpose

IDGPCONNECT emails can be used for the same purposes as any email. However, unlike ordinary email accounts, emails sent between IDGPCONNECT users (or users with idgp addresses) are encrypted offering a secure electronic environment for communication involving confidential information. Users will also be able to access secure web mail from http://www.idgp.org.au

Users

IDGPCONNECT email accounts were offered initially only to general practice staff. It is IDGP’s intention to offer IDGPCONNECT email accounts to consultants and allied health providers so that patient information may be communicated electronically in a broader environment.

Fees

Email accounts for allied health providers are available at a cost of $55 pa.

Viruses

The IDGPCONNECT server is configured with spam and virus scanning of all incoming e-mails.

All out going mail is scanned for viruses. If a virus is blocked the recipients will receive an e-mail notification as will OTIiS (Formally IDGP IT Team). The blocked e-mail is not able to be retrieved.

Spam

The IDGPCONNECT server incorporates an advanced spam control system that is nearly unnoticeable to end users but reduces unsolicited e-mails dramatically. The first time a new e-mail address sends an IDGPCONNECT e-mail it will be delayed for 5 to 30 min, After the first e-mail there will be no delay as the server remembers the address. Certain e-mail accounts are exempt from this including SESIAHS e-mails.

If the spam filter suspects an e-mail is spam it will be marked SPAM in the subject. You or OTIiS (Formally IDGP IT Team) can set up a filter in your mail client to deal with these e-mails.

Account conventions

E-mail accounts will be designated as ……@idgpconnect.org.au. The user name will be first letter of first name and last name, for example Michelle Smith will be msmith. There will also be a profession indicator. If Michelle is a Practice Nurse the address will be msmith.pnidgpconnect.org.au.

Limitations

Each e-mail account has a limit of 100mb of storage space.

Currently e-mails can not be sent to IDGPCONNECT e-mail addresses from Yahoo e-mail accounts due to the large amounts of spam from these addresses. If this is an issue please contact OTIiS (Formally IDGP IT Team).