My Health Record relied upon during the pandemic

An update from the Australian Digital Health Agency

Australians trust My Health Record to keep their health information secure.

The new COVID-19 vaccination dashboard in My Health Record is a convenient way to see COVID-19-related information in one place, including proof of vaccination documents and booster information. Consumers from across Australia can now see COVID-19 PCR test results as soon as they are uploaded, giving faster access to key health information.

From the dashboard you can:

• check when your second vaccination or booster is due
• download proof of past vaccinations
• save your COVID-19 digital certificate to a digital wallet
• see your recent COVID-19 PCR test results (if uploaded)
• see any history of anaphylaxis, recent medicines, medical conditions and recent vaccinations in your record
• link to the COVID-19 vaccine clinic finder and side effect checker.

Figures show that the use of My Health Record increased considerably during the pandemic. The number of records containing data has grown by more than two million in the past year. That’s a total of 22.5 million records or 96 per cent of all records.

COVID-19 digital certificates have been viewed almost three million times in My Health Record and 207,000 people have registered for My Health Record who had previously opted out.

People are relying on My Health Record information during the pandemic, at the time they need it most.

For people living in rural and remote areas who may need to travel long distances or move to attend health services and specialised treatment, My Health Record can help.

My Health Record is a tool to help rural patients have control over their own health management, providing greater remote support that can also help reduce duplication of tests and unnecessary long journeys. It can also reduce harm caused by medication errors for rural and remote people, as their healthcare providers will have access to important information about medicines and allergies. This information can be lifesaving in an emergency.

The Australian Digital Health Agency has been working across the health sector to support the use of My Health Record by healthcare professionals, with a particular focus on rural and regional communities such as Bendigo in Victoria.

In March, records showed that, across Australia, 246 million clinical documents were uploaded by hospitals, pathologists and radiologists, as well as 362 million medical documents uploaded by pharmacists and general practitioners (GPs). Nearly 100 per cent of pharmacists, GPs and public hospitals have been digitally enabled to use My Health Record during the pandemic.

The greater Bendigo region is a clear example of this work. With a high number of provider organisations already connected to My Health Record in the region, the Australian Digital Health Agency will be running a local awareness campaign to increase the use of My Health Record, in partnership with Bendigo consumers and healthcare providers. The aim is to showcase a digitally connected local community response.

The Bendigo campaign will include newspaper, radio, digital and other channels to promote the use of My Health Record in the region. Importantly, it will partner with community organisations working in the areas, such as Carers Victoria and Loddon Campaspe Multicultural Services, to help spread the word through community gatherings, education sessions, printed materials, webinars and more.

Progress has been made and now everyone can choose to look at their COVID-19 information and more on My Health Record.

For more about the My Health Record COVID-19 vaccination dashboard, please visit www.digitalhealth.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/my-health-record/covid-19-dashboard