The first mobile app that can directly download and display key information from My Health Record has been released by the Australian Digital Health Agency, using its Health API gateway to allow consumers to download their health data as soon as it’s available on the main system.

Other mobile apps such as Healthi and HealthNow provided a link through myGov to the My Health Record system itself but were not authorised to download data separately on the app.

ADHA has now released its first consumer mobile application, my health, powered by My Health Record. my health app is available on the Apple and Android and allows consumers to select filtering options that allow them to filter their medical history by category and year.

They can also filter by medicines, check their pathology results, view hospital discharge summaries and share documents with others.

It also allows users to view their vaccination history and upcoming immunisations. This was previously available through the Healthdirect and Medicare apps for viewing COVID vaccination certificates.

ADHA CEO Amanda Cattermole said data showed that around 75 per cent of interactions between My Health Record and users occurred on mobile devices.

“We know from our own research that almost two-thirds of Australians regularly use their mobile phones to access, share and manage their health information, so the release of a consumer-facing app is not only a logical technical development but also a direct response to consumer demand for access to health information when and where they need it,” Ms Cattermole said in a statement.

The agency says my health is fortified with robust data protection mechanisms to secure consumers’ health information against external interference and is fully integrated with end-to-end encryption with the My Health Record platform.

“A seamless connection between the app and the platform is made by leveraging the new Health API Gateway,” the agency says. “New health data is automatically downloaded onto the app’s interface as soon as it is available on My Health Record.”

To use the app, consumers need to have linked to My Health Record through their myGov account. Security is provided through the myGov log-in and the mobile device’s passcode or biometrics, with the option to create a unique PIN for access to my health on the device.

Consumers can choose to receive push notifications through my health. It also allows access to family members’ records if the user is the nominated representative.

Download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play, or search for my health gov.