VICTORIANS should be given a choice and control over their own health records as part of the government’s proposed centralised electronic health data system, according to Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh.
He said he thought recent cyber-attacks, which released the private details of millions of Australians, would have demonstrated the concerns some people had with databases such as this.
“Our amendments are not just about giving you control of your own records, they also give you control over who can, and cannot, access that information – and be able to find out who has looked it up,” Mr Walsh said.
“It’s important Victorians have the ability to opt out of a health information sharing platform that allows the sharing of highly sensitive information without their knowledge or consent.
“And it’s especially important, given the number of cyber-security attacks we have seen against large telcos, health insurance companies and banks.”
The Bill aims to establish secure health information-sharing arrangements across Victoria’s public health system through a single, secure platform.
NSW, Queensland, SA and the ACT all have integrated electronic health systems, allowing public health services to share patient information efficiently.
At present, Victoria’s health services are on wildly different health information systems. Some still use pen and paper.
The Targeting Zero report in 2016 called for all major hospitals in Victoria to have electronic health record systems that can share patient information to reduce avoidable harm in the health system.
Concerns about privacy safeguards were consistently raised in parliament this week by Liberal, Nationals, Greens and Liberal Democrat MPs.
Law Institute of Victoria (LIV) president Tania Wolff also demanded an opt-out in the government’s proposed legislation.
She said one in 10 Australians have opted out of the My Health Record scheme, according to the Australian Digital Health Agency.
“Patient autonomy must be front of mind in any health legislation being put forward by government to protect patients’ rights,” Ms Wolff said.
“The implementation of an opt-out scheme would place choice back in the patients’ hands about the healthcare they receive in the Victorian public health system.
“Patients must have the right to say who can access their health information – even if this means their health information will not be shared under the scheme.
“Patient autonomy is a fundamental human right: it’s the same principle that allows a patient to refuse medical treatment.”
