Initiative: 2.2.08 - Expand functionality and health information available in my health app to better support consumers
Lead: Australian Digital Health Agency
The my health app is the ‘digital front door’ for consumers to access key information drawn from My Health Record. With the app, Australians can easily view and share their medical histories with their healthcare providers, paving the way for connected care.
Since its launch, the app has been evolving as part of an ongoing program of enhancements to support the National Digital Health Strategy outcome of a person-centred health system as well as the broader Strengthening Medicare agenda.
A significant my health app update was released in December 2024 to end the inconvenience and cost of misplacing paper prescriptions and also provide a single place to keep all electronic prescriptions if taking multiple medicines.
Agency CEO Amanda Cattermole PSM said the update to my health app makes it a unique digital means of enabling Australians to manage electronic prescriptions alongside their key health information in a secure and convenient location.
“Whether you are a busy parent or carer, an interstate traveller, or someone with chronic or complex health conditions, the upgrade to the my health app has been designed and tested with diverse consumer groups” Ms Cattermole said.
The update also provides enhanced usability, a fresh new look and additional features including:
- the ability to manually add or edit information about medicines you are currently taking, allergies and adverse reactions
- options to link or delink an Active Script List (also known as MySL in pharmacy) once registered with a pharmacy
- updates to the organ donor status information
- the ability to add, update and view emergency contact information.
Agency Chief Clinical Advisor (Medicine) Dr Amandeep Hansra said my health app is increasingly useful when people are in emergency situations.
“Diagnostic imaging and pathology reports are being shared to My Health Record in growing numbers, which allows clinicians to access critical information that is not always available in their own organisation's records. Access to this information on their mobile phone through the my health app will also empower consumers to take control of their health” Dr Hansra said.
Expected impact
Marayke Jonkers lives with thoracic outlet syndrome, a painful condition that prevents her from lifting her arms.
The former Paralympian and past President of People with Disability Australia regularly travels from her Sunshine Coast home to Brisbane to see her specialists and uses my health app to keep track of key health information.
She spoke with Link magazine about the my health app.
“My ability to move around isn’t what it used to be. I frequently rely on others to run errands and one of the most difficult is to get something from a chemist, especially when my identification is required for specific types of medication I need. Without this app some chemists who aren’t familiar with me won’t accept a support worker submitting my prescription even if they have their own identification alongside mine,” Ms Jonkers said.
“The ease with which I can get a medical professional to assist me makes a big difference when I have my health information in the palm of my hand.
“Life is like a jigsaw puzzle, and what the Agency is creating with my health app, making life easier by having access to prescriptions digitally, is just one of those puzzle pieces that builds a fully inclusive world.”
Visit the digital health website for more information about my health app and to download my health app for iOS or Android.
Read the media announcement of the December 2024 my health app update.
Outcome 2: Person-centred
This initiative relates to National Digital Health Strategy. Outcome 2: Person-Centred, which is focused on empowering Australians to look after their health and wellbeing, equipped with the right information and tools.
Strategy Delivery Roadmap
For more information, refer to Roadmap initiative 2.2.08.