My Health Record

Questions & Answers

What is My Health Record?

My Health Record or the 'red book' is a folder that holds information about your health in one place. It is used to store information about your medical condition and the treatment recommended by doctors and other health service providers.

What is the aim of My Health Record?

The aim of My Health Record is to assist in improving quality of life for people with chronic diseases by establishing a simple, practical method for keeping track of all information concerning their medical condition. My Health Record will improve communications between yourself and your health service providers.

Who is My Health Record designed for?

My Health Record was initially designed for people with chronic disease but it is available to all adult patients in NSW. It is expected that it will be particularly useful for people who need to attend multiple doctors and other health service providers on a frequent basis.

What is the benefit of using My Health Record?

• My Health Record will reduce the need for you to repeat the same information or medical history every time you see a doctor or a new health service provider.
• You will be able to manage and keep up to date medical information.
• You, your carers, doctors and other health service providers will be able to keep track of your care.
• It will improve services and communication between you and health service providers such as local doctors, specialists, pharmacists, hospitals and community health services and all other health service providers.
• My Health Record can improve and streamline care for people with multiple chronic health care problems.

Who owns My Health Record?

My Health Record or 'the red book' belongs to you, who choose the information that is entered. It is your responsibility. Doctors and other health service providers cannot access the record without receiving your permission.

Do I have to use My Health Record?

Ownership and use of My Health Record is voluntary. If you decide not to use it, your care will continue as usual.

What about Privacy?

The NSW Privacy Commission and NSW Health Legal Branch were represented on the NSW Personal Health Record Steering Committee and oversaw the development of My Health Record. As the owner of the red book, you will be able to determine what information is recorded and updated in the record.

What will happen if I lose My Health Record?

If My Health Record is lost, the finder can return it using the free post return address provided on the front cover of the record. This directs the finder to return it to the NSW Health Department. If My Health Record is returned to the NSW Health Department it will be posted to the owner's home address. The owner can obtain another copy from local health service providers, public hospital or community health centres.

Where can patients get new sheets of particular sections of My Health Record?

Pads of 10 sheets of particular sections the previous version of My Health Record are available. Multiple pads of each section can be obtained from the NSW Better Health Centre.

Additional segments are available for:

• Section 4: Monitoring your health problems
• Section 5: Appointments
• Section 6: Health Problems
• Section 7: Medications

Is My Health Record available in other languages?

My Health Record is available only in English. This publication is designed in plain and simple language. The promotional pamphlet and information guide accompanying the My Health Record will be translated in future in several community languages. These will be inserted into the red book or distributed in community health centres, hospitals or others.

Isn't keeping My Health Record up to date going to take a long time?

By reducing the need to repeat the same information or medical history every time you see a doctor or a new health service provider My Health Record will improve service and communication between yourself and their doctors or clinicians. The information requested in My Health Record is linked to your health service providers information system.

You can ask doctors to print out your medical record from the doctors's information file (Medical Director) and put in the plastic sleeves available at the back of the booklet.