Stakeholders give a clear message of support for approach to privacy

7 November, 2008. Privacy challenges around the introduction of an Individual Electronic Health Record (IEHR) can and should be addressed as a matter of priority to advance e-health in Australia. Stakeholders have given the National E-Health Transition Authority a clear message of support for its approach to privacy around the IEHR following the release of the Privacy Blueprint in July.

A total of 37 submissions were received from a combination of health industry peak bodies, consumer representative organisations, privacy groups, vendors and individuals with an interest in e-health.

The general response was positive and most respondents affirmed that appropriate privacy management would ensure that an IEHR was adopted widely and used successfully as a key tool in improving healthcare and health outcomes.

NEHTA Chief Executive Peter Fleming said feedback from stakeholders was extremely valuable.

"We need to know their views and understand how our work in the privacy area can better meet the needs of the healthcare sector and the Australian public.

"As e-health develops we are committed to ensuring that a strong privacy foundation is established for the IEHR and all other related e-health initiatives," he said.

A report on feedback to the Privacy Blueprint has been compiled which outlines the next steps for NEHTA in furthering work on privacy and e-health initiatives.

Issues identified by respondents that require further consideration include:

  • Governance - strong governance arrangements are important for overseeing and managing an IEHR
  • Sensitivity labels - overwhelming support for a 'sensitivity' label function
  • Individual control over health information - voluntary participation is viewed as a key to success of the IEHR
  • Authorised and nominated representatives - suggestions for how an IEHR might address and/or implement representative mechanisms, including those relating to the needs of carers, children and young people
  • Audit functionality - an effective audit function is needed to ensure consumer confidence in the IEHR system
  • Secondary uses - support for certain types of secondary use, such as research, and improved public health and safety - excluding direct marketing and use of health information by employers or insurers
  • Further issues - several other key issues emerged including: data integrity and control; provider participation in the IEHR; and the importance of training and community education

The issues raised and recommendations received from the submissions will influence future work on an IEHR. Ongoing engagement on the detailed design and the implementation approach will continue. All submissions and the Privacy Blueprint for the Individual Electronic Health Record - Report on Feedback is available at www.nehta.gov.au