New features added to my health app for holiday travel

The Australian Digital Health Agency has announced new features for the my health app to aid Australians in managing their health while travelling during the holiday season.

The 'digital front door' for health services, my health app, now allows users to manage their health information and tools conveniently while on the move. This includes features such as accessing electronic prescriptions and adding personal health information.

Amanda Cattermole, CEO of the Australian Digital Health Agency, stated, "Australians caravaning across the country or flying to family festivities should download my health app before they travel, so their health information and tools to support them are always in reach."

"Whether you are a busy parent, 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 to ensure it is a health saver for everyone," added Ms Cattermole.

The app's updates are expected to particularly benefit those like Danielle Keenan from Broken Hill, whose 12-year-old daughter, Augie, requires continuous health management due to Juvenile Diabetes and other conditions.

Mrs Keenan remarked, "I organise countless appointments and scripts each year, so having scripts in one convenient location alongside other key health information will bring me peace of mind."

She further noted, "It also makes it easier to travel interstate as a family because Augie's health information can be easily accessed wherever we are by healthcare providers - and that could be a life saver for her if we had an accident."

Dr Amandeep Hansra, the Agency's Chief Clinical Advisor (Medicine), highlighted the app's utility in emergencies. Dr Hansra said, "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 health records. Access to this information on their mobile phone through my health app will also empower consumers to take control of their health."

The my health app improvements include new abilities for users to manually add or edit medicines, allergies, adverse reactions, and update emergency contact information. Users can also manage their Active Script List (ASL) registrations with pharmacies and update their organ donor status.

The enhancements aim to make the my health app more intuitive, supporting Australians in ensuring their health information is readily available, especially when away from home during the festive travel period.