My Health Record is a secure online summary of your health information which was previously known as the Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record (PCEHR). To find out more visit the My Health Record website.
You control what goes into it, and who is allowed to access it. Your My Health Record allows you and your doctors, hospitals and other healthcare providers to view and share your health information to provide you with the best possible care.
Steps to register yourself for a My Health Record can be done through the My Health Record website and also through the My.Gov website.
What is My Health Record?
My Health Record commenced on 1 July 2012. Like many similar initiatives around the world, it is a secure, online summary of an individual’s health information. It can be viewed by treating healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses and pharmacists across Australia.
My Health Record gives you access to information about a patient’s health which you may not otherwise have been able to see. To access this information you don’t need to copy it into your system or do any extra work. The information you can access through My Health Record is outlined below:
■ Shared Health Summary: A summary, authored by the treating doctor, of an individual’s health status including adverse reactions, medicines, medical history and immunisations.
■ Hospital Discharge Summaries: A record of an individual’s hospital stay and any follow up treatment required.
■ Diagnostic imaging reports*: Such as ultrasounds or x-ray results.
■ Prescriptions and dispense information: Such as dosages and frequency.
Ian Gillies’ case is a real life example of how the My Health Record is used to better connect and coordinate individual’s health care. Watch his story.