All 6.3 million users of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s eHealth mobile app can now securely use their electronic health records (eHRs) in designated medical institutions in the Chinese mainland, authorities said on Wednesday.

The Health Bureau said in a statement that the "Cross-boundary Health Record" function in the eHealth app has been extended to all 6.3 million eHealth users amid the growing trend of Hong Kong residents using healthcare services in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

"The eHealth system serves as the backbone infrastructure for medical data in Hong Kong,” said a spokesperson for the bureau. 

“The government has been maintaining close communication with relevant mainland authorities and medical institutions in achieving convenient and secure usage of eHRs across the boundary through the eHealth system, so as to enhance the quality and safety of cross-boundary medical services.”

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Previously, the "Cross-boundary Health Record" function was limited only to eligible elderly recipients of the Elderly Health Care Vouchers.

Starting Wednesday, all eHealth users in Hong Kong may apply for their eHRs recorded in the eHealth system over the past three years before attending consultations at 20 designated medical institutions in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Zhuhai, Zhongshan, Foshan, Dongguan, Jiangmen, Huizhou, and Zhaoqing.

Once they apply, users will instantly receive an Application QR Code and a Password QR Code via the app. They may then present these QR codes to healthcare professionals at the designated hospitals, to grant them permission to access and browse relevant health records on a designated web browser.

To ensure data privacy and security of personal eHealth accounts, users will be notified via selected communication means, such as SMS or email, whenever a designated medical institution accesses their health records.

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Moreover, users may apply for the service on behalf of family members using the "Caregiver" function in the eHealth app.

“Throughout the process, we have strictly adhered to the overarching principles of ensuring due compliance of laws and regulations in Hong Kong and the mainland, and that data security and patient privacy are fully safeguarded," the spokesperson said. 

“The extension of the ‘Cross-boundary Health Record’ function to all Hong Kong residents marks a significant milestone in advancing cross-boundary healthcare collaboration.”