consumers-PCEHR

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PCEHR Consumer Update - Jan 2011
Consumers are pleased to learn of the Minister’s confirmation of the commitment to working closely with stakeholders in the development of our national e-health system. We were particularly pleased to have the more detailed indications given by DoHA at the PCEHR roundtable in Sydney on 20th November, 2010.  This objective would be realised through the creation of a governance advisory body comprising the four pillars, ie the government agencies, clinical service providers, medical software vendors and consumers.  In effect this would for the first time provide all key players with a “seat at the table”.  This genuinely constructive approach was alluded to by the Minister and various DoHA presenters at the Melbourne e-health conference that followed.  CeHA looks forward to assisting in the design of this constructive model.  A priority would be for all the parties to be convinced that the issue of standards-setting across the whole scene of e-health networking is being adequately addressed. It is central to the current project tendering processes. The ongoing public comment on this issue, which is so vital to achieving interoperability, leaves consumers concerned that the network planning is yet to establish an acceptable set of practical standards relevant to all the essential functions. To bring all stakeholders to the same table, at the same time, with a comprehensive agenda on standards, and all other related issues, would ensure the PCEHR program is not putting the cart before the horse.

** Discussions have been proceeding as to how the pace of e-Health implementation could best be enhanced. **
At their meeting on 15th November, representatives from Australian General Practice Network (AGPN), Medical Software Industry Association (MSIA) and Consumer e-Health Alliance (CeHA), agreed to align the broad range of their common interests in e-Health networking to promote this objective. It recognised that interoperability based on standards at all levels to enable this is vital. At the same time, we must grasp the opportunity to use all practical existing systems which operate on accepted S.A.A standards within the primary care area and which account for about 90% of the present Health paper work load associated with the proposed Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record (PCEHR).

We see this step as supporting Minister Roxon’s objective within her statement when announcing the forthcoming e-Health conference. “I want to get stakeholders together so that we can get maximum value out of the Government’s investment and ensure that there is detailed discussion about the implementation plans into broader community consultation."

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