Apple introduces new update to Health app with iOS 11.3 beta

New Delhi: Apple has introduced a new update to the Health app with the iOS 11.3 beta, debuting a feature for customers to see their medical records right on their iPhone.

“The updated Health Records section within the Health app brings together hospitals, clinics and the existing Health app to make it easy for consumers to see their available medical data from multiple providers whenever they choose,” Apple said in a statement.

“Our goal is to help consumers live a better day. We’ve worked closely with the health community to create an experience everyone has wanted for years — to view medical records easily and securely right on your iPhone,”  Apple COO Jeff Williams said .

The new Health Records section is available to the patients as part of the iOS 11.3 beta. Apple said that in the coming months, more medical facilities will connect to Health Records.

The updated section brings together hospitals, clinics and the existing Health app to make it easy for consumers to see their available medical data from multiple providers whenever they choose, Apple said.

Johns Hopkins Medicine, Cedars-Sinai, Penn Medicine and other participating hospitals and clinics are among the first to make the beta feature available to their patients.

In the past, patients' medical records were held in multiple locations, requiring patients to log into each care provider's website and manually piece together the information.

With the new update, consumers will have medical information from various institutions organised into one view covering allergies, conditions, immunisations, lab results, medications, procedures and vitals, and will receive notifications when their data is updated.

Health Records data is encrypted and protected with the user's iPhone passcode, Apple said.

The update will also offer features such as giving users power to control their batteries, Augmented Reality (AR) upgrade and Animoji.

"This spring, iOS 11.3 will deliver exciting new ways to experience Augmented Reality on iPhone and iPad, new Animoji on iPhone X and the ability to view health records in the Health app," Apple said.