e-health
Electronic health records are one of the most important opportunities to improve the quality and safety of health care, reduce waste and inefficiency and improve continuity and health outcomes for patients.
National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission Fact Sheet
A person-controlled electronic health recordPrivacy in e-health
Encouraging take up of e-health
More information
Electronic health records are one of the most important opportunities to improve the quality and safety of health care, reduce waste and inefficiency and improve continuity and health outcomes for patients.
A person-controlled electronic health record
A person-controlled electronic health record should be available for each Australian – as one of the most important systemic opportunities to create person-centred health care and improve quality and safety. Giving people better access to their own health information through a person-controlled electronic health record is vital to promoting consumer participation, and supporting self-management and informed decision-making.By 1 July 2012, every Australian should be able to have and control their own electronic health record with a provider of their choice. People should also be able to approve health care providers and carers to have access to their records.
Privacy in e-health
The Australian Government should legislate to ensure the privacy of electronic health data. Additionally it should be responsible for the development of a national policy and open technical standards framework for e-health.Encouraging take up of e-health
The payment of public and private benefits for all health and aged care services should be dependent on their ability to accept and provide patient data electronically and this should occur by 2013.The Australian Government should develop and implement an appropriate national marketing strategy to inform consumers and health professionals about the significant benefits and safeguards of the proposed e-health model.
More information
This is a summary of some of the major recommendations of theNational Health and Hospitals Reform Commission. Full recommendations can be found in A Healthier Future For All Australians – Final Report of the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission – June 2009What's happening
Privacy Impact Assessment on the PCEHR system
A detailed Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) into the PCEHR system has been undertaken by Minter Ellison Lawyers and Salinger Privacy. The PIA report made 112 recommendations.
Launch of the “Software Developers Resource Centre”
A new vendor portal has been launched by the Department of Health and Ageing (the Department) and National E-Health Transition Authority (NEHTA).
Plain packaging legislation receives the Royal Assent
The Australian Government's world first legislation to require all tobacco to be sold in plain packaging received the Royal Assent on 1 December 2011.
