Most pathology reports now flow straight into My Health Record and the my health app. See what’s on the list.
Australians and their healthcare teams now have immediate access to most pathology reports through My Health Record and the my health app.
The change kicked in on Monday as part of an Australian Digital Health Agency’s bid to strengthen care coordination, speed up clinical decision-making and improve outcomes.
The Agency has released a list of which pathology tests would be immediately accessible after they are uploaded to My Health Record.
The move has been welcomed by peak patient bodies, including the Consumer’s Health Forum and Diabetes Australia.
However, not everyone has been in favour. On Friday last week – just three days before the change took effect – the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) issued a statement calling on the Australian government to delay the reform.
It warned that the proposed “immediate release” of pathology tests to patients could not safely proceed under current timelines and conditions.
It said it had written to the federal health minister Mark Butler and ADHA CEO Amanda Cattermole to raise concerns that the change could pose unacceptable clinical and operational risks.
RCPA CEO Dr David Andrews said moving ahead with this timeline risks patient harm, confusion among providers and loss of confidence in My Health Record.
“Over the past 12 months, we have repeatedly warned the Government the proposed introduction of ‘immediate release’ pathology results is not ready for safe implementation,” said Dr Andrews.
“Despite our warnings, the government advised last Friday that the implementation will begin this week. We have held urgent meetings with ADHA to again stress our concerns about possible impacts for patients and to urge for a pause on this update to give time for proper safeguards to be in place.
“The RCPA has successfully advocated for maintaining a delay to anatomical pathology, cytopathology, genetics and some specialised haematology tests related to blood cancers.
“However, inadequate communication by the ADHA with clinicians and pathologists has created great uncertainty about what test results will be marked for immediate release.
“We fear laboratories are unprepared and have not had the time or tools to prepare due to the absence of a definitive release list or a way to test their systems.
“While we support consumers and clinicians having greater access to health information, it needs to be achieved in a considered and careful manner.”
In a statement on Monday announcing the change had taken effect, Ms Cattermole said it reflected a clear focus on improving connected care.
“Putting timely health information in the hands of Australians and their care teams through My Health Record and my health app supports safer, more connected care,” she said.
“These access changes to most pathology reports, empower both consumers and healthcare professionals to act quickly, make informed decisions, and ultimately improve health outcomes.”
The ADHA’s chief clinical adviser (Medicine) Dr Amandeep Hansra emphasised the central role of pathology in diagnosis and treatment.
Data from the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia showed more than 70% of all medical decisions relied on pathology results.
“Pathology results are often the key to unlocking a diagnosis, helping doctors make timely and accurate decisions,” said Dr Hansra.
“With Australians now able to access their results sooner, it opens the door for more meaningful conversations with their healthcare providers. Together, we can make informed choices and ensure care is tailored to each patient’s needs.”
Under the new system, consumers remain in control of their records and can request that particular reports not be uploaded.
They can also restrict access, limit visibility of a document, or remove it altogether once uploaded.
The shift to faster access follows nearly two years of clinical safety review by the Clinical Reference Group, which included representatives from peak bodies, professional associations and consumer groups, alongside advice from the ADHA’s Consumer Advisory Committee.
Committee member Larissa Roberts, who lives with complex and chronic health issues, said her experience demonstrated how critical timely pathology information could be.
“After more than five years of seeking an effective treatment, a recent test provided the answers we needed,” she said.
“Any option to get those results earlier would have enabled me to work more quickly with my broader healthcare team, coordinate the new treatment and improve my quality of life sooner.”
The ADHA has spent the past month supporting more than 1400 stakeholder groups to prepare for the reform, including peak bodies, colleges, public and private hospitals, Primary Health Networks, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and pathology laboratories.
Consumers Health Forum CEO Dr Elizabeth Deveny welcomed the faster access to pathology results.
“Putting results in people’s hands faster is a win for equity and transparency; it gives healthcare consumers the chance to be more active partners in their care, ask questions sooner and make more informed decisions,” Dr Deveny said.
Parkinson’s Australia CEO Olivia Nassaris agreed.
“For people living with Parkinson’s, timely access to information is not just a convenience, it’s a critical component of coordinated, person-centred care,” said Ms Nassaris.
“Gone are the days of carrying around a folder or envelope with printed test results. My Health Record means that someone can have up to date and accurate information at their fingertips at all times.”
Diabetes Australia Group CEO Justine Cain said faster access to more information means better health outcomes for Australians living with diabetes.
“Providing individuals with faster access to their pathology reports is another important step towards a more integrated healthcare system,” Ms Cain said.
“People living with chronic conditions like diabetes are often supported by multiple health professionals. This change will support the timely sharing of information within those groups, improving communication and overall care.
“It’s so important for pathology reports to be discussed with a health professional so that an individual gets the whole picture of what the results are showing. We hope that this change will help to facilitate those discussions.”
