The Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA) has enabled more mobile apps to connect to its My Health Record platform, giving the public more ways to access their health information during the COVID-19 crisis.
Chief Digital Officer at ADHA, Steven Issa said Australia’s need for a connected healthcare system was greater than ever.
“The My Health Record allows consumers and their healthcare providers to access information about their medicines, pathology test results, imaging reports, hospital visits, and summaries of their health status,” Mr Issa said.
“Consumers can currently access their My Health Record through four mobile apps available through app stores, or through MyGov.”
He said more than 22.7 million Australians now had a My Health Record, with the system containing more than 1.8 billion documents – a number which was increasing every day.
“We have undertaken a comprehensive review of how apps – and the organisations that offer them – should use the latest security and privacy measures to achieve our confidence that this precious information will be protected,” Mr Issa said.
“We are at a point where we are confident that sufficient controls are in place for any new connecting mobile apps.”
He said ADHA had placed additional obligations on app providers relating to their commercial model, quality processes, company ownership and management, and requirements for independent audit.
“The Agency will continue to log and analyse access to the My Health Record system to ensure those operating apps are remaining compliant with their obligations under the Act and legal agreement with the Agency,” Mr Issa said.
He said apps that connected to My Health Record were only available to download from Apple or Google app stores.
