Online shared health records to be tested

Shared digital health records for Australians are on their way.

This follows the passing on 12 November of the Health Legislation Amendment (eHealth) Bill 2015. It allows the Government to trial opt-out shared e-health records in two locations in Queensland and NSW, covering about one million people.

People will have online accounts set up for them automatically using names, addresses and health identification numbers from the Medicare database.

It will give the Health Department the opportunity to test how it communicates the change in approach to participants.

The publication ITNews has reported that concerns about potential privacy implications were raised during the debate in both Houses, as well as by a joint committee on human rights.