The My Health Record is an individual’s digital health information, easily accessible by doctors, specialists, and hospitals. All Australians will have a My Health Record by the end of 2018 unless they choose not to.

Mr Johnson said often if people see another health professional, other than their regular doctor they are asked to redo tests. 

“Often the new health professionals don’t have the complete medical records and this presents a risk for the patient,” he said. 

“For example if you’ve had some allergies tested by one hospital and go to another you might have to do the whole range of tests again because there is no way of knowing how severe the allergies might be.”

Mr Johnson said if health professionals and individuals have access to medical records online it will save time and allow medical staff to focus more on practical care. 

Asked if he thought it was a secure system, Mr Johnson said nothing is 100 per cent guaranteed but as information will be stored under a large commonwealth system, he said it has less chances of being hacked than smaller databases across Australia. 

North Coast Primary Health Network My Health Record program spokesperson and Laurieton resident Emma Dykes said ultimately the benefit to residents will mean that once it’s set up people don’t need to do anything.

“Health information can be viewed securely online, anywhere, anytime – even if you move or travel interstate.

“You can access your health information from any computer or device that’s connected to the internet.”

Emma is also a travelling musician and she said it will be handy to access her records from anywhere in Australia.

Emma encourages people to ask their GP to upload a personal health summary on to the network. 

She said this will provide health professionals with instant access to important information, if a person has to see another doctor or specialist following an unforeseen medical incident.

“Healthcare providers involved in your care can access a summary of your important health information, including allergies, medicines you are taking, medical conditions you have been diagnosed with and pathology results like blood tests,” she said. 

“Having a My Health Record can help you keep track of your own health history and reduce the need to repeat your health story every time you see a doctor.”

The major benefits of this personalised online health summary are:

 Better connected care

 Individual health information available in one place

 Access to individual health information in an emergency

 A convenient snapshot of an individual’s health

 Strong Security

 Privacy respected