Media Releases
Patients benefit from the latest HealthConnect milestone
The Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator Kay Patterson has welcomed the latest development in HealthConnect, which has enabled Tasmanian trial participants to access their personal health information.
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less in this section Patients benefit from the latest HealthConnect milestone
The Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator Kay Patterson today welcomed the latest development in HealthConnect, which has enabled Tasmanian trial participants to access their personal health information.
Senator for Tasmania and Special Minister of State, The Hon Eric Abetz, was present when the first patient accessed their personal record online; an Australian first. Senator Abetz joined Senator Patterson in celebrating this important milestone.
"HealthConnect has made an important advance today and I am pleased to report that it takes us a step closer to achieving Australia's vision for a national health information network," Senator Patterson said. "Tasmanian trial participants are now able to access their personal health information from a secure online site which will ultimately allow them to actively participate in their health care delivery."
The Tasmanian HealthConnect trial in the Clarence district in the South of the State was launched in October 2002 and is part of a joint Commonwealth, State and Territory project, currently undergoing research and development work, following an agreement by Health Ministers in July 2000.
The HealthConnect concept aims to improve the flow of information across the health sector, and ultimately quality and safety in health care, by allowing patient information to be collected in an electronic format, safely stored and exchanged within strict privacy safeguards.
Senator Patterson said the Tasmanian trial had been developed in consultation with the State Government as well as a range of local health care providers and consumers.
"Essentially the Tasmanian trial involves setting up a secure electronic storage site which, within an agreed consent framework, houses summary health information generated from general practice and hospital consultations."
"The aim is to improve the quality of care by providing for more complete, appropriate and timely sharing of information among both health care providers and consumers."
"Consumers participating in the trial are now able to obtain copies of their own information, allowing them to more fully participate in the management of their care."
Senator Patterson said the trials had been developed in consultation with the Tasmanian Department of Health and Human Services as well as a range of local health care providers and consumers.
The trial findings will feed into further development of a HealthConnect model, with other trials expected to be held in New South Wales and Queensland later this year.
Media inquiries, contact Sarah Higginbottom, Media Adviser, Senator Patterson's office, 02 6277 7220.
