This appeared a few days ago.
Govt to build My Health Record app
By Justin Hendry on Jul 6, 2021 12:49PM
Moves to improve accessibility.
The federal government will develop its very own mobile application for Australians to access the My Health Record, as the overhaul of the country’s national digital health infrastructure gains speed.
The Australian Digital Health Agency revealed plans for the native iOS and Android mobile app – or set of native apps – this week to improve accessibility to information in the ehealth record.
It closely follows consulting giant Deloitte’s contract to deliver the health information gateway that will replace the Oracle API gateway that underpins the My Health Record.
The deal, which the agency has now revealed will cost just shy of $18 million over three years, represents the first phase of a so-called national infrastructure modernisation program that will upgrade the ehealth record.
The first release of the app is intended to complement other digital channels connected to the My Health Record system, which is mainly accessible through the government’s myGov portal.
Tender documents show the app will connect to the My Health Record system via the system’s Fast Health Interoperability Resources (FHIR) gateway, though ADHA is open to how this occurs.
The gateway supports two interaction models: one in which the app talks directly to the My Health Record mobile/FHIR gateway, and the other where the app connects via an intermediary server.
“Responding tenderers may choose either approach with their tender offer outlining which approach they are taking,” ADHA said in a request for tender published on Monday.
“There is potential for the successful tenderer to be involved in additional phases, which will be tactically planned to reach parity with the national consumer portal.”
ADHA expects the app will support a minimum of 1500 concurrent users accessing the solution at the same time, with authentication to be done through users’ myGov accounts.
Users will then be able to access the app using either a password, four digit PIN or biometrics (either Apple Touch ID, Apple Face ID or Android biometrics).
One of the main reasons for offering apps appears to be the need to give Australians “easy access” to Covid-19 immunisation certificates, pathology test results and information on vaccination bookings.
More here:
https://www.itnews.com.au/news/govt-to-build-my-health-record-app-566940
There is some commentary here:
The Government Wants to Develop a My Health Record App, Because COVIDSafe Went So Well
July 8, 2021 at 12:48 pm -
The Australian government is moving forward on the development of a digital app for My Health Record. If you’re ever heard of the COVIDSafe app, you can probably guess how this might go.
My Health Record has picked up its fair share of controversy over the years. The system centralises all patient health data into one place, which is accessible by the individual and health practitioners.
It’s been the subject of numerous privacy concerns, which have only been bolstered by the multiple data breach attempts in recent years. And now we have a new app to add to the mix.
A My Health Record App is on the way
The Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA) has revealed the first phase of its plan to modernise the national digital health infrastructure.
The agency recently awarded a contract to Deloitte to produce the Health Information Gateway, which is described as “a pivotal piece of national digital health enabling technology that provides a secure and scalable platform for exchanging and accessing health information, including priority areas such as vaccinations and aged care data.”
Following this announcement ADHA posted a tender for the provision of “Health Application Programming Interface (API) Gateway Services”, with a contract value of almost $18 million.
More here:
https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2021/07/government-my-health-record-app/
I am really wondering just what all this is actually about given this release last year where access apps were already available:
More My Health Record apps to help Australians manage their health
26 March, 2020 - 16:00
The Australian Digital Health Agency (the Agency) has today enabled more mobile apps to connect to the My Health Record so that consumers have more choices about the ways they get real time access to their health information.
Australia’s need for a connected healthcare system is now greater than ever. One that’s accessible, progressive and – importantly – secure.
The My Health Record allows consumers and their healthcare providers to access information about their medicines, pathology test results, imaging reports, hospital visits, and summaries of their health status. Consumers can currently access their My Health Record through four mobile apps available through app stores, or through MyGov.
Over 22.7 million Australians now have a My Health Record and these records contain over 1.8 billion documents which are increasing every day.
The Agency paused new apps from connecting to the My Health Record during its expansion of the My Health Record to opt-out. At the time, there was significant interest from innovators to offer apps that connected to the My Health Record.
Steven Issa, the Agency’s Chief Digital Officer, said “The security and safety of people’s health information is our priority. We have undertaken a comprehensive review of how apps – and the organisations that offer them – should use the latest security and privacy measures to achieve our confidence that this precious information will be protected. We have now implemented all changes arising from that review.
Australians put their trust in us to use the highest standards to operate the My Health Record, and we are at a point where we are confident that sufficient controls are in place for any new connecting mobile apps.
The ‘Mobile Gateway’ allows a consumer to authenticate to the My Health Record and view the information in their My Health Record, along with other services the app provides.
Mobile apps can provide consumers with new ways to understand and use the information in their My Health Record, and ultimately, to make better informed decisions about staying well or managing their health conditions.”
In reopening the Mobile Gateway, the Agency has added a range of new requirements to connecting apps. This includes clauses in the legal agreement signed by app operators to more explicitly prohibit them from making a copy of system data and using data for any other secondary purpose. This is backed up by civil penalties of up to $315,000, or up to $1.575 million for a body corporate, for an unauthorised collection, use or disclosure of My Health Record information, per offence. Criminal penalties may also apply under the My Health Records Act 2012.
Under the Act, it is also a requirement that any servers and infrastructure used to connect to the system be located within Australia.
The Agency has also put additional obligations on app providers relating to their commercial model, quality processes, company ownership and management, and requirements for independent audit.
The Agency will continue to log and analyse access to the My Health Record system, to ensure those operating apps are remaining compliant with their obligations under the Act and legal agreement with the Agency.
“We appreciate the patience of innovators while we completed our security and privacy review, then implemented additional requirements to even more stringently safeguard Australians’ health information. We’re looking forward to seeing fantastic new apps for consumers to get the full benefits from having a My Health Record.
The need to manage our health and receive health services remotely is highlighting the incredibly important role technology can play in meeting the challenge posed by this global pandemic. We are fortunate in Australia that governments and the private sector have invested in health technology and we are now able to use it to get the best outcomes for the country,” Mr Issa said.
Register here to receive updates on future collaboration opportunities, to connect to the Mobile Gateway visit the ADHA Developer Centre.
Download the Media Release here
ENDS
Here is the link:
Being a simple soul I am struggling to understand why the ADHA could not request what ever updates they needed from the current app providers.
I suspect the reason might be that the usage has been so low that the present app providers could not be bothered to add anything by way of extra functions unless they were very well paid and a new one – with all the risk – might be a cheaper way forward. What this means for the present users – of which is suspect there are very few – is totally unclear.
Any insights as to what is really going on welcome but I suspect any new app my not need to support 1500 simultaneous / concurrent users any time soon!
All insights welcome.
David.
2 comments:
Whistling in the wind.
If NEHTA/ADHA knew what people wanted in a health record they wouldn't have built MyHR. As they obviously don't understand what people want, the app isn't likely to deliver anything of value. All it will do is provide better access to something people don't want.
It would be funny if it wasn't so sad.
An ad hoc, random, miscellanae of ideas lacking in clarity of purpose and lacking in relevant functionality, leading to an even greater mish-mash of confusion, fragmentation and disruption. Oh the stupidity of these non-sensical bureaucrats.
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