The data sharing resources being produced through the Sparked program, led by CSIRO’s Australian eHealth Research Centre, are already underpinning how our health system will share health information between clinical systems to benefit all Australians right across the care economy, Health Minister Mark Butler said at the opening of HIC2025 in Melbourne today.

“Software developers, clinicians and consumers are working on agreed language and standards for health data exchange,” the Minister said. “Congratulations to all Sparked members who have contributed more than 21,000 hours of in-kind time in the first two years of this program alone. Thanks to your collaborative efforts Sparked is now the world’s most active FHIR-accelerator program.”

In a pre-recorded message, the Minister said the government was committed to digital health systems which were “essential” to making the broader health system even better.

“Digitisation can help us tackle some of the most significant problems in our health system. Workforce shortages, pressure on our hospitals, fragmentation across different care settings and the need for ongoing coordinated care for those with chronic conditions, just to name a few,” the Minister said.

“Digital health is critical to addressing this by enabling health information to be seamlessly collected and shared wherever the patient needs care.

“Digital technology also gives greater agency to patients. Through digital technologies and AI, consumers can take control of their health and access care wherever and whenever they need support.”

He said the government’s investment of more than $200 million to create 1800-Medicare would transform after hours medical support, further reducing unnecessary trips to the ED and integrating with My Health Record to ensure continuity of care.

“1800-Medicare will share your consultation notes back to My Health Record so you, your regular GP, a hospital and your care team are all informed about your health. This is our continued goal for the whole healthcare system.

“More than 90 per cent of Australians now have a My Health Record and increasingly this needs to show a complete record. But we know more work needs to be done to ensure Australians can access their health record with ease.

“We’re working to ensure more GPs, public hospitals and allied health professionals are doing their bit to upload patient information. It’s said that 75% of faxes worldwide are sent in the healthcare sector and I’m determined to change this.

“Last February we passed a law to ensure pathology and imaging reports are uploaded to My Health Record and that will soon come into effect.

“We’re also working with the states and territories on design and development of Health Connect Australia. It will build on My Health Record, stitching together clinical systems to support a real-time view of patient health information for clinicians at the point of care. The first phase of the program will establish an enhanced national provider directory, capability that captures all 1.1 million health professionals.

“There is exciting work underway developing the healthcare provider digital identity and authentication strategy, improving cyber protections and of course harnessing AI to improve access and productivity and in all of this our government will continue to look to your community for expertise and advice,” he said.