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FAQs

Archived document

1. What is HealthConnect?
2. What is happening about the implementation of HealthConnect?
3. How was HealthConnect proposed?
4. What’s wrong with the way health records are now kept?
5. How will HealthConnect improve the flow of information?
6. What information will be held by HealthConnect?
7. Where will the information be held?
8. How will consumers’ privacy be protected?
9. How will consumers be identified?
10. Can certain details be excluded from electronic health records?
11. How will consumers benefit?
12. How will health care providers benefit?
13. How will the Australian public benefit?
14. Who manages HealthConnect ?
15. What has happened to MediConnect?
16. Where can I find further information on Broadband for Health?

What is HealthConnect?

HealthConnect is an overarching national change management strategy to improve safety and quality in health care by establishing and maintaining a range of standardised electronic health information products and services for health care providers and consumers.

The strategy is a partnership between the Australian, State and Territory Governments which aims to leverage e-health systems in different parts of the health sector through a common set of standards so that vital health information can be securely exchanged between health care providers such as doctors, specialists, pharmacists, pathologists and hospitals and so on.

Privacy, security, consent and timeliness of information flows to improve the delivery of health services to all Australians are the hallmarks of this strategy.

What is happening about the implementation of HealthConnect?

Implementation of the strategy is taking place progressively as states and territories develop the necessary infrastructure and adopt national standards and engage with other health service providers in their region to plan how to share information effectively.

Implementation has already begun in Tasmania, South Australia, and the Northern Territory. It will proceed in the other states and territories on a case-by-case basis in line with each state and territory’s needs and readiness.

How was HealthConnect proposed?

Australian, State and Territory Government Health Ministers established the National Electronic Health Records Taskforce in November 1999 to evaluate the potential of electronic health records for the Australian health system.

Based on the Taskforce recommendations, Ministers agreed in November 2000 to jointly fund two years research and development to assess the value and feasibility of HealthConnect.

In March 2004, the Australian Government announced the commitment of funds to commence the implementation of HealthConnect on a state-by-state basis, beginning with Tasmania and South Australia.

What’s wrong with the way health records are now kept?

There is nothing wrong with the content of existing records but as most health records are on paper-based files, this means important information about a person’s health history is stored in many different locations and cannot be accessed quickly. Even when information is kept in an electronic form, it can be scattered across proprietary information systems that prevent the information being easily shared.

How will HealthConnect improve the flow of information?

By encouraging health care providers, consumers and industry to share the goals and objectives of HealthConnect and to participate in its implementation in the states and territories, all Australians will benefit from the electronic sharing of health information.

Every time a person goes to a different health care provider, or moves interstate, their important health information will be readily available (with their consent). Access to more complete information for health care providers will lead to better decision-making, improved delivery of health care and better consumer safety.

What information will be held by HealthConnect?

The short answer is none. HealthConnect is neither a data repository nor a network, rather it is a change management strategy to enable states, territories, consumers, health care providers and industry to develop and implement a uniform national electronically shared health system.

Through HealthConnect’s overarching strategic role, it will encourage each person’s health-related information to be collected in a standard electronic format at the point of care, such as at a hospital or a doctor’s surgery. This information could take the form of a brief event summary, rather than the comprehensive notes that a doctor may keep as a record of a consultation. An event summary will include key information such as the results of health treatments, a hospital discharge report or referral, the results of pathology tests or prescribed medications.

With the consumer’s consent, these event summaries can then be accessed (via secure systems) by authorised health care providers.

Where will the information be held?

Event summary information that is exchanged between providers will be held at the point of care. At the point of care, the health provider will be able to draw together, with the consumer’s permission, relevant information from other providers involved in a person’s care.

How will consumers’ privacy be protected?

The implementation of the HealthConnect strategy in your state or territory will respect the privacy of personal health information. Privacy, confidentiality and security are paramount and the Australian Government will ensure that wherever the HealthConnect strategy is implemented, the electronic transfer of your health information will comply with existing legislative and regulatory requirements, the professional ethical and legal obligations of health care providers as well as the latest technical advances in security measures.

Existing legislation will need to be reviewed to comply with the changes to e-health technology to ensure protection of individual’s records.

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner is also responsible for privacy in Australia. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner is an independent Office which has responsibilities under the federal Privacy Act 1988 (cth)

How will consumers be identified?

A goal of the HealthConnect strategy is that you will be issued with an electronic personal health identifier to ensure that information sent by your providers really belongs to you. You will be able to authorise the creation of, and subsequent access by health care providers to, your electronic health records and electronic health plans. You will also have the ability to remove authorisation for providers that you no longer wish to have access to your health record.

Can certain details be excluded from electronic health records?

Yes. The National e-Health Transition Authority (NEHTA) is developing a consent model to define the control you have over what event summaries are sent.

How will consumers benefit?

When the HealthConnect strategy is fully implemented, you will have the following benefits:

• in an emergency situation your life could be saved as health professionals can access your health information more readily

• errors in clinical decisions and medication management will be reduced as health providers can keep in touch electronically, no matter where they are located

• referrals, test results and other important information will be transferred more accurately, quickly and securely between your doctor and any other member of your health care team. This will prevent health risks caused by unnecessary duplicate procedures or tests and reduce costs

• convenience and time saving will be inherent as you will not have to chase health records created by different providers

• wherever you go in the health system your electronically stored health data can be transferred quickly and accurately to another provider with your consent

How will health care providers benefit?

The HealthConnect strategy is intended to make life easier for health care providers. When fully implemented in your state or territory it will be possible for health care providers to exchange and share information electronically.

For example, if you are a doctor or specialist you will be able to refer patients electronically to hospitals and other specialists before admission, and you will receive timely access to their hospital discharge records.

As implementation proceeds in your region, patients’ records can be linked with those of hospitals, pharmacies, pathologists and other health providers. This linkage is achieved through the creation, with the patient’s consent, of event summaries to communicate a more complete picture of your patient’s health.

In summary, the principal benefits will be:

• more timely access to important health information

• better informed decisions and strengthened patient relations

• time saved as you will no longer have to spend as much time chasing medical records created elsewhere.

How will the Australian public benefit?

Information shared between health providers will help improve the safety, quality, effectiveness and efficiency in the Australian health care system, resulting in benefits for the whole community.

Who manages HealthConnect ?

HealthConnect is managed under national e-health governance arrangements established by the Australian Health Ministers as a joint Australian, State and Territory Governments’ initiative.

The Australian Government’s role is to assist with the development and coordination of activities being undertaken in each jurisdiction. It does this through the Australian Health Ministerial Advisory Council (AHMAC) whose members are the chief executives of Australian, State and Territory Government departments of health.

The national implementation of the goals and objectives of HealthConnect is the responsibility of the National Health Information Group (NHIG), an AHMAC sub-committee which works in consultation with the Australian Health Information Council (AHIC) to obtain a broad range of expert opinion from consumer, provider, academic and industry perspectives.

What has happened to MediConnect?

MediConnect was an initiative that tested an electronic system of medicine records which now forms the medicines component of HealthConnect.

MediConnect was designed to give doctors and pharmacists more complete information about the medicines people use and to improve quality and safety in the management of medications. This objective continues as a key driver of the HealthConnect strategy.

For more information please see the Lessons Learned report.

Where can I find further information on Broadband for Health?

For all the latest information on Broadband for Health, including the Managed Health Networks Grants visit the Broadband for Health website www.health.gov.au/ehealth/broadband