Delays in care because one hospital department can’t read another’s digital notes? The Australian Medical Association is right – that’s unacceptable in 2026. The AMA’s new research report on digital interoperability (the ability for different health systems to easily share information) highlights how today’s isolated and incompatible health IT systems lead to inefficiencies, duplication, and poorer patient outcomes. It calls for urgent action, including a fundamental transformation in how health data is managed and a legislated authority to enforce common data standards.
Magentus agrees. As an interoperability leader in Australia, we’ve tackled these exact problems. We’ve been pioneering open-standard solutions that ensure crucial health information flows between providers. The AMA’s message – that we need industry-wide standards and collaboration, backed by government support – echoes our view that achieving true interoperability should be industry-led but government-supported.
Common Ground on Critical Issues
The AMA and Magentus share the same goal: breaking down data silos to enable safer, more efficient, patient-centered care. The AMA report vividly describes how critical information often isn’t available where it’s needed, such as emergency department clinical notes being printed and hand-carried to the ICU because software can’t communicate. This introduces unacceptable risks and delays. We’ve seen the same challenge across Australian healthcare – specialist clinics faxing referrals and hospital bookings, clinicians chasing test results across multiple portals. That’s why our focus has been connected, standards-based solutions that give all clinicians real-time access to the information they need.
The AMA wants mandated national interoperability standards and an authority to enforce them, noting that voluntary codes aren’t enough. We completely agree that a common language is essential, such as international data-sharing standards like HL7 FHIR. We are proud that the national eRequesting standard we drove with Sonic Healthcare is being published as a national standard this month. Magentus has built solutions on open, standards-based frameworks, actively collaborating with HL7 Australia and the Australian Digital Health Agency to co-design standards that work in real-world practice. The AMA’s call backs this approach and urges the level playing field the sector needs.
We join the AMA in emphasising that connecting systems saves lives, time, and money. The report notes that doctors waste precious time searching for patient information or re-ordering tests that have already been done because data remains siloed. Our solutions address exactly these pain points. Instead of paper pathology forms that might be lost, a Magentus eRequest sends orders electronically and provides real-time visibility on test status, eliminating duplicate follow-ups and ensuring no results slip through the cracks.
From Vision to Reality
eRequests is Australia’s first fully digital, standards-based ordering system for pathology and radiology. Co-designed with Sparked, HL7, and leading lab partners, eRequests allows specialists to send electronic requests directly from Genie or Gentu to diagnostic providers, with real-time status updates. It eliminates paperwork, reduces duplication, and ensures faster, safer care.
In partnership with Healthscope, we launched Australia’s first FHIR-based eBooking solution for surgical scheduling, connecting specialist practice software with hospital theatre systems for real-time, structured data exchange. Hospitals receive complete booking information an average of 27 days in advance – compared to just seven days under traditional processes – improving resource planning and patient safety. After a successful pilot Healthscope is now deploying eBookings across all hospitals, with other private hospital groups to follow. By focusing on practical use cases and building on open standards, we’re showing how to scale connected care across the system.
Turning Alignment into Action
The AMA’s report and Magentus’s experience point to a clear path forward. Government and policymakers must move from strategy to implementation by establishing a national interoperability authority, mandating standards, and incentivising compliance. Funding integration pilots and embedding interoperability into procurement criteria can help scale proven solutions like eRequests and eBookings across the sector.
Healthcare providers and industry peers should act now. Whether you’re a hospital executive, a practice owner, or a health IT vendor, ask what you can connect today to improve care. Join pilot programs, adopt open connection standards, and collaborate on data-sharing projects that put patients first. Organisations like the AMA and industry leaders should continue driving the conversation, convening stakeholders to develop concrete roadmaps with bold, measurable goals.
The evidence shows that we’re already seeing what success looks like: platforms sharing data, clinicians gaining time and insight, and patients experiencing smoother care journeys. To scale these successes, we need unified standards, strong policy, and stronger collaboration. By aligning innovation with regulation and incentivisation – letting government and industry each play to their strengths – Australia can build the connected, patient-centric health system we all want. Magentus is committed to this work, and we applaud the AMA for driving this change.
