It has been a long time coming but 56 different software programs used by GPs for secure messaging could finally be able to talk to each other by May next year.

The Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA) says it has secured the signatures of 42 companies responsible for the 56 programs, which include Argus and MMEx, to comply with a single set of standards.

This should mean that GPs no longer have to purchase multiple programs to ensure they can communicate with a wide range of other specialists and hospitals when sending and receiving referrals, discharge summaries, test results and other clinical information necessary to provide good patient care.

It could even signal the death knell of the fax machine in clinics and hospitals across the country.