The Department of Health has released a consultation paper and launched a review of the My Health Records legislation, to ensure the legislation which underpins the records system enables it to work as well as it can.
The Department said the review would look at how to better support patients accessing multiple health care providers; reduce duplication of treatment; avoid adverse health events; and actively involve patients in their own health care.
“My Health Record (MHR) has evolved over more than a decade as a unique national digital health records scheme,” the Department said.
“As of August 2020 more than 90 per cent of eligible Australians have an individual MHR – 22.82M in total, of which over 19.68M have health data entered in the record,” it said.
“A high majority of healthcare providers are registered in the system – 94 per cent of general practitioners, 99 per cent of pharmacies, and 95 per cent of public hospitals.”
The Department said the Review was required under the My Health Records Act 2012.
“Maintaining public trust and confidence in the MHR system is a Government priority,” it said.
“As such, the review is particularly interested to hear whether revisions to the Act would enable better MHR use by consumers and health service providers, and improve the delivery of healthcare services in Australia.”
It said the consultation paper identified key issues being considered in the review.
“They are drawn from the Terms of Reference for the review, and from early discussions held with Government Agencies and professional and consumer organisations.”
The Department said submission would be open until 21 October.
The 16-page consultation paper can be accessed at this PS News link and information on how to have a say at this link.
