By Goya Dmytryshchak
An Altona North doctor is urging people who stay in the largest medical database in Australia’s history to turn on security settings for their health records.
By the year’s end, a My Health Record will be generated for every Australian unless they opt out before October 15.
Privacy advocates have expressed concerns about the security of the system, which contains individuals’ personal health information.
Former Australian Medical Association president Mukesh Haikerwal said many people were confused about information My Health Record contained.
“It’s not a complete dump of the entire medical history for your life – it’s simply summary documents generated by your normal GP and others, giving pertinent medical information and pertinent medicines information,” he said.
“Then, there’s Medicare data – what Medicare’s paid for on your behalf: consultations, blood tests, X-rays and medications. Some hospitals put some letters about your care there, too.”
Dr Haikerwal said if people did not opt out, they needed to secure their records.
“People need to make a concerted decision themselves about whether they want to be in the system and have this thing created for them,” he said.
“The default setting, when this is created, will be ‘no security’ settings. I assume they will send you your password key to get on, which you will then change.
“Currently, it’s a torturous process because it’s called an IVC – individual verification code. You then have to go on to the website – ehealth.gov.au – ‘register for a record’, register with an IVC and your email.
“I think the system is problematic … it’s so early in development that to stuff it down people’s throats and say you’ve got to have one within three months is a bit premature.
“If people do nothing … potentially 950,000 health care providers and health care workers in every hospital in the country that’s connected can potentially look at it.
“The alternative is to opt out by ringing 1800723471 or by going online.
“When you actually need a record it can be created fairly quickly in the doctor’s practice.”
Dr Haikerwal will host four information sessions at Cirqit Health in the Circle Health building, 230 Blackshaws Road, Altona North.
They will be on Friday, July 27, from 1-2.30pm; Wednesday, August 1, from 1-2.30pm; Friday, August 3, from 1-2.30pm; and Monday, August 6, from 6.30-8pm.
Places are limited and bookings required via jenny.ktenidis@gmail.com
