Concept of Operations: Relating to the introduction of a Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record System
Minister’s introduction
Australia has taken another step towards a national personally controlled electronic health record (PCEHR) system – an eHealth initiative that will help bring Australia’s healthcare into the 21st century.
I am pleased to present the Concept of Operations: Relating to the introduction of a personally controlled electronic health record system (PCEHR Concept of Operations). It is a significant enabling component of the Government’s national health reform agenda and a milestone achievement for e-health that will guide the PCEHR program delivery, including the development of key national IT infrastructure and connections.
The release of the PCEHR Concept of Operations is made possible by the support, feedback and submissions received by the Department of Health and Ageing during the public consultation process for the draft PCEHR Concept of Operations, which commenced in April 2011. I would like to thank the Australian community including individuals, healthcare providers, consumer and advocacy groups, the ICT industry and government organisations for their contribution and interest in the PCEHR program.
Where appropriate, the PCEHR Concept of Operations has been adapted to address issues raised during the public consultation process. The accompanying report, Analysis of Key Themes from the Public Consultation Process, provides information on major discussion themes raised during the public consultation phase, the steps being taken to progress these themes and consequential changes made to the PCEHR Concept of Operations.
From July 2012, all Australians who choose to can register for a PCEHR. As the PCEHR system matures, Australians who use a PCEHR will be able to see their important health information in one consolidated view. They will be able to share this information with trusted healthcare practitioners, who in turn will be able to access their patient’s PCEHR to support the delivery of high quality healthcare regardless of where and when it is needed.
Since April 2011, there have been significant milestones achieved for the PCEHR program, including the appointment of the National Infrastructure Partner, the National Change and Adoption Partner and the Benefits and Evaluation Partner.
As part of the PCEHR program, e-health lead implementation sites have been established around Australia to deploy components of electronic health record systems, providing valuable learning to inform the implementation of the national PCEHR system.
Together with investments in telehealth, the National Health Identifier Service and the National Broadband Network, electronic health records will improve accessibility to health services and information, which over time will significantly enhance health outcomes.
I look forward to sharing more information about Australia’s progression towards a national PCEHR system in the near future.
The Hon Nicola Roxon MP
Australian Government Minister for Health and Ageing
