The My Health Record is an online data base that gives users and doctors greater access to documents regarding their health. 

While figures from the Australian Digital Health Agency show that almost six million people have already registered for a My Health Record, many people are choosing to opt out due to privacy concerns.

However, General Practitioner and Chief Medical Adviser to the Australian Digital Health Agency Profeesor Meredith Makeham said people have the ability to manage and control access to their record. 

“My Health Record empowers Australians by giving them secure access to their own healthcare information and supports them in managing their health conditions,” she said. 

“People can choose which healthcare information they’d like to store in their My Health Record and who they’d like to share it with.”

Consumers Health Forum CEO, Ms Leanne Wells said the opt out period is an important time for Australians to learn more about My Health Record.

“The opt out period is a great opportunity for individuals to learn more about My Health Record so they can understand the impact it could have on their treatments,” she said.

“We are looking forward to seeing more records be created by the end of the year, so more Australians have access to the benefits the platform enables.”

While questions have been raised about the security of the records, the Australian Digital Health Agency has assured people the records will be secure. 

By the end of 2018, a My Health Record will be created for every Australian, unless they choose not to have one. If people choose not to have a My Health Record, they will be able to opt out of having one created for them during a three-month period, starting on Monday 16 July and ending on October 15 2018.