GP Peak Body Applauds My Health Record Reforms as Life-Saving Initiative
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has strongly endorsed upcoming reforms to My Health Record, describing them as critical measures that will enhance patient safety and prevent tragic outcomes. These changes mark a significant step forward in Australia's digital health landscape.
Comprehensive Medicines History Now Available
For the first time, patients, general practitioners, and other healthcare providers will gain access to a complete picture of a patient's medicines history through the My Health Record system. This online platform serves as a comprehensive summary of key health information, and the reforms will ensure all medicines-related data from online prescribers becomes available to both consumers and their healthcare teams.
The initial phase of these reforms focuses specifically on integrating information from digital health platforms into the existing My Health Record framework. This integration addresses a longstanding gap in Australia's healthcare communication systems.
Addressing Critical Communication Gaps
Dr. Michael Wright, President of the Royal Australian College of GPs, emphasized how current telehealth practices have created dangerous information silos. "Online and on-demand telehealth providers who aren't connected to your usual general practice cannot see your medical history," he explained. "They may not inform other health professionals of what care or prescriptions they provide by adding to your history or your My Health Record."
This communication breakdown has led to serious patient harm, including medication errors, adverse reactions, and inappropriate use of prescribed drugs. Dr. Wright revealed the sobering reality: "This has led to some very bad patient outcomes. Tragically, those have included deaths."
Catalyst for Change: A Personal Tragedy
The Federal Government initiated these reforms following the heartbreaking case of Erin, the 24-year-old daughter of Alison Collins, who died from an overdose in 2025. Erin had been stockpiling medicine prescribed by multiple digital health platforms, despite her My Health Record containing warning messages from hospital staff.
Her care team had arranged for controlled daily medication pickups from a local pharmacy, but the fragmented system allowed dangerous gaps in oversight. This tragedy highlighted the urgent need for better information sharing across all healthcare providers.
Building Toward a National Medicines Record
Beyond the immediate My Health Record enhancements, the reforms will also include development of a comprehensive National Medicines Record. This represents a broader vision for medication safety across Australia's healthcare system.
Dr. Wright explained the practical benefits: "These changes also go beyond prescribing and will lead to records of dispensing. This means if I write a prescription for a patient, I know they are getting it filled, or if not, can work with them to understand why."
Transforming Patient Safety Standards
The college president stressed that communication between healthcare services forms the cornerstone of patient safety. "If a telehealth service provides a prescription and there's a risk due to your medical history, your GP knowing about it can save your life," he stated emphatically.
When properly implemented, these reforms promise substantial benefits:
- GPs and care team members will have clear, up-to-date views of patients' medicines information
- Patient safety will significantly improve across the healthcare system
- Hospital admissions related to medication issues should decrease
- Overall care quality will be enhanced through better coordination
Dr. Wright concluded with optimism about the reforms' potential impact: "If well-implemented, GPs and other members of a care team having a clear and up-to-date view of patients' medicines information through a National Medicines Record will make patients safer, reduce hospitalisations, and improve care across the health system."
