Ley to launch health records trials

The Turnbull government plans to trial electronic health records that will be available to all in the trial area, not just those who opt in.

A review of the former Labor government's Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record system, released in 2014, found problems with its opt-in nature, limited range of clinical information and usability.

A key criticism of the system was it could not be used unless a patient signed up, rather than an all-inclusive system that takes in all except those who choose to opt out because they do not want their medical history made available.

Health Minister Sussan Ley will tell the National Press Club on Wednesday an all-inclusive trial of the new My Health Record will start early next year.

It will involve about one million people in far north Queensland and in the NSW Nepean Blue Mountains region.

"This will help deliver better health outcomes for patients the first time and cut down on unnecessary risks and inefficiencies in the system currently frustrating doctors," Ms Ley said.

Ms Ley said the government was also looking at allowing patients full access to their own personalised health data and control over its use.

Such access opens up many possibilities, she said.

"What if you, as a consumer, were able to take your personal Medicare and Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme data to a health care service, to an app developer, to a dietitian, to a retailer, and say how can you deliver the best health services for my individual needs?" she said.

Ms Ley said this was already happening with industries such as the finance sector.