The Federal Government has tabled legislation before parliament that, if passed, will introduce a national eHealth records system starting from July 2012.

 

“Electronic health records have the potential to save lives, time and money and make the health system more efficient,” Minister for Health and Aging Nicola Roxon said.

“There’s no doubt that Australia needs to drag the management of health records into the 21st century.

“Medication errors currently account for 190,000 admissions to hospitals each year. Up to 18% of medical errors are attributed to inadequate patient information.  

 

The Personally Controlled Electronic Health Records Bill 2011 includes provisions for:

  • Strong penalties for breaches of privacy, such as inappropriate access;
  • The ability for patients to nominate authorised and/or nominated representatives to have rights in regard to their eHealth records;
  • An Independent Advisory Council to advise on operational and policy matters;
  • Audit logs available for consumers to see on the access to health records; and
  • The Australian Information Commissioner to become the key system regulator.