The Commonwealth Government of Australia is launching ‘My Health Record’ a secure online summary of an individual’s health information. Available to all Australians, My Health Record is an electronic...

The Commonwealth Government of Australia is launching ‘My Health Record’ a secure online summary of an individual’s health information.

Available to all Australians, My Health Record is an electronic summary of an individual’s key health information, drawn from their existing records and is designed to be integrated into existing local clinical systems.

The ‘My Health Record’ is driven by the need for the Health Industry to continue a process of reform to drive efficiencies into the health care system, improve the quality of patient care, whilst reducing several issues that were apparent from the lack of important information that is shared about patients e.g. reducing the rate of hospital admissions due to issues with prescribed medications. This reform is critical to address the escalating costs of healthcare that become unsustainable in the medium to long term.

Individuals will control what goes into their My Health Record, and who is allowed to access it. An individual’s My Health Record allows them and their doctors, hospitals and other healthcare providers to view and share the individual’s health information to provide the best possible care.