My Health Record not always helping people prove they have a medical condition that prioritises them for a COVID-19 vaccine

The Australian Digital Health Agency which became fully operational on 1 July 2016 is the System Operator of the My Health Record system.

It appears that its record keeping may not be living up to expectations created at the time by then Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Minister for Health Sussan Ley.

Before booking an appointment it may be wise to check if you have sufficient proof of eligibility if you are not being vaccinated against the  COVID-19 virus at your usual GP practice.

The Daily Telegraph, 27 March 2021:

It has cost taxpayers $2 billion but the My Health Record is proving useless when it comes to helping people prove they have a medical condition that prioritises them for a COVID-19 vaccine.

Two million Australians who have an underlying medical condition are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine under phase 1b, which began this week, but many will be unable to get it at their regular GP. Only 1000 GPs are approved to provide the vaccine and one in three GPs decided not to apply at all.

This means many patients will need to provide some kind of proof to an unfamiliar medical practice that they have a condition that qualifies them for a priority vaccination.

The Department of Health’s website warns: “If you are not eligible or cannot demonstrate your eligibility when you arrive for your vaccination, you may be asked to leave.” It states that a clinic’s records may be relied on as evidence at their usual doctor. At an unfamiliar practice “accepted evidence” includes My Health Record or government-issued documents with date of birth.

Bronia Nowaine has a cardiac problem and, as advised by the Department of Health, had planned to use her My Health Record as proof of the condition so she could get a COVID-19 vaccine.

But when she opened her My Health Record online to see if it would be of use, she was shocked to discover it was virtually empty.

Earlier this year we revealed doctors and hospitals are not using the record. GPs look at the record in fewer than 1 per cent of consults and hospitals use it in just 2 per cent of cases. Ms Nowaine said she was annoyed at having to find another way of proving her eligibility. “If I was to fall down in the street and an ambulance needed my information they should be able to get it but it seems they wouldn’t,” she said.