In a media release on 31 July 2018, the Federal Minister for Health, Mr Greg Hunt announced that the Government will strengthen privacy provisions under the My Health Records Act 2012 (Cth) (Act), to match the existing Australian Digital Health Agency’s Privacy Policy (ADHA Policy). This announcement was made after discussions between the Government and the Australian Medical Association and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
The ADHA Policy requires a court order to release any My Health Record information without consent.
The Government’s plan to amend the Act will ensure no record can be released to police or government agencies, for any purpose, without a court order.
Mr Greg Hunt has also announced that the Government will also amend the Act to ensure that anyone wishes to cancel their records will be able to do so permanently, and their records will be deleted from the My Health Record system.
Read the media release here.