A new secure health information system is to be rolled out across Victoria's public health system, thanks to the efforts of the Andrews Labor Government. The Health Legislation Amendment (Information Sharing) Bill 2023, which will be introduced to the Victorian Parliament by Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas, will help ensure the efficient sharing of patient information across health services, enabling patients to receive the best possible care. The initiative will allow hospitals and health services to access accurate patient information from a central location, with the system accessible only to clinical staff.
The system will ensure that patients receive the best possible care by making vital medical information available to clinical staff, regardless of where the patient has previously received care. This can be life-saving in emergencies and useful for patients with chronic conditions who often cannot communicate their health information to health professionals. The new arrangements will help patients with language barriers, provide better support for telehealth and virtual care, and help Ambulance Victoria make more accurate assessments of patients' care needs.
Currently, a patient's clinical information is stored in different locations, slowing the diagnosis and treatment process. By centralising the system, doctors and nurses can access the information they need more quickly, resulting in faster and more effective patient care. Implementing this system will bring Victoria in line with other states and territories where similar systems are already in place.
The health information sharing system will be subject to strict security and privacy controls, including safeguards to record when and where a patient's information has been shared. The system will ensure the confidentiality and privacy of patient data, and there will be strict penalties for unauthorised access to or disclosure of information from the system.
This initiative is the latest implementation of the Targeting Zero report, which recommended that all major hospitals should have electronic health record systems that can share patient information. The new system will improve the quality of care in Victoria's public health system by ensuring that patients receive timely and accurate care, regardless of their medical history.