A My Health Record is an online summary of your health information. It can be accessed at any time by you and your healthcare providers.
This means that, whether you’re visiting a GP for a check-up, or are in an emergency room following an accident and are unable to talk, healthcare providers involved in your care can access important health information, such as:
- allergies
- medicines you are taking
- medical conditions you have been diagnosed with
- pathology test results like blood tests.
This can help you get the right treatment.
You control your record
You don’t have to do anything to start benefiting from having a My Health Record. Your healthcare providers can add key health information to it and use as required to assist in your care. Next time you see your doctor, ask them to add your information to your My Health Record.
However, you can also choose to manage aspects of your My Health Record yourself. For example, you can:
- add notes about your allergies and adverse reactions, an advance care plan or custodian details
- set access controls to restrict who can and can’t see your health information
- review your own health information, seeing everything your healthcare providers can see
- set up SMS or email notifications so you know when a healthcare provider first accesses your record.
A My Health Record for every Australian in 2018
By the end of 2018, a My Health Record will be created for every Australian, unless they choose not to have one.
As more people and their healthcare providers use the My Health Record system, Australia’s national health system will become better connected. This will result in faster and more efficient care for you and your family.
If you don't want a My Health Record, you will be able to opt out of having one created for you during a three-month period in 2018.
My Health Record in practice - Tiger's story
Lionel Corrigan, affectionately known as 'Tiger', is no stranger to the medical system, having had his first heart ‘turn’ over 20 years ago.
Since then, he has developed a myriad of chronic health conditions, including irregular blood pressure, diabetes, prostate cancer, emphysema and had a triple bypass. This has seen him in and out of hospitals multiple times.
