My Health Record is a safe and secure, online place to keep your key health information, available to you and your healthcare providers anytime it’s needed. (ref: My Health Record) It can include medications, allergies, immunisation records, test results, prescription records, and specialist reports.
With your permission, doctors, pharmacists, hospitals and allied health professionals can upload and access this information. This means your care team gets a complete picture of your health, even if they’re in different locations. (Ref: What’s inside your My Health Record)
In an emergency, hospital staff can quickly view your medical history, current medications, and past treatment. This leads to faster, safer, and better-informed care, especially outside regular hours.
My Health Record is a safe and secure system, and you are in control of it. You can manage your important information, control who has access to it, and see what has been accessed. (Ref: Discover who can access your medical records | Privacy and access)
Electronic Prescriptions: No More Lost Scripts
Managing multiple medications or paper prescriptions can be difficult, especially if you’re living with a chronic condition.
Electronic prescriptions offer a digital, paper-free solution. During a consultation, your doctor can send a prescription directly to your mobile via SMS or email. You simply present the token to your pharmacy to receive your medication.
This system is a safe and convenient alternative, reducing the risk of lost scripts and is especially useful during telehealth appointments or when carers collect medications on your behalf.
(Ref Electronic Prescriptions)
Cyber Security: Keeping Your Information Safe
Protecting your personal health data is a top priority. The Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA) uses strong cybersecurity measures, including encryption, secure servers, and access controls.
You can manage your own privacy settings, see who has accessed your record, and decide who can upload or view information.
The Agency encourages safe use of digital health tools such as – promoting use of strong passwords, strong privacy settings on accounts and devices, multi-factor authentication and keeping devices software up to date.
With these protections, you can feel confident that your information is safe and used only for your care.
Supporting Australians Living with Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s is a complex neurological condition that often requires ongoing care from a diverse team of healthcare professionals – including neurologists, GPs, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, and more. In addition, individuals living with Parkinson’s may need regular medication reviews and adjustments, as symptoms can change over time.
The Australian Digital Health Agency’s (ADHA) digital tools, such as My Health Record and electronic prescriptions support a more connected, safe and coordinated approach to care. These tools do more than just improve convenience- they help enable better communication between providers, support timely treatment decisions, and empower patients to take a more active role in their care journey. This leads to greater independence, improved health outcomes, and a higher quality of life for Australians living with Parkinson’s.
Looking Ahead: A Smarter Future for Managing Parkinson’s
Digital health is transforming healthcare in Australia – making it more personalised, connected, and easy to manage. The Australian Digital Health Agency is leading this transformation to ensure all Australians, including those with Parkinson’s, can benefit from safer, smarter, and more coordinated care.
Whether you’re managing Parkinson’s, caring for a loved one, or working in healthcare, these tools are here to help. They can streamline communication between healthcare providers, reduce paperwork, and give patients more control over their health journey.
To learn more or get started with My Health Record, electronic prescriptions, or learn how to be more cyber secure online, visit: www.digitalhealth.gov.au
Blog post written 22 October 2025.
