Access Card Must Not Mean 'Access All Areas'
The AMA is urging the Federal Government to carefully manage the introduction of the Health and Social Services Access Card to maintain privacy and health safety and to future proof the card against other possible uses and functions.
The AMA's arguments are documented in its submission to the Government in response to the first Discussion Paper of the Access Card Consumer and Privacy Taskforce, which is chaired by Professor Allan Fels.
Releasing the AMA submission today, AMA President, Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, cautioned that any future expansion in the Access Card's functions - such as linking it to a person's health and medical records - must be handled with the utmost care and with the patient's interests the priority.
"Linking the card to functions beyond those for which it was originally intended might be a positive development, but any such expansion has to be handled responsibly and in consultation with the public," Dr Haikerwal said.
"The Government must build public confidence and trust by ensuring that use of the card, and access to information through the card, will be controlled in an open and transparent manner."
"Privacy is paramount - the Access card cannot mean 'access all areas'.
"Only authorised people should be able to access the information on the card, and there should be a tracking system to monitor who has accessed what information.
"The key to privacy of health information is providing the patient with a level of control over who accesses their files.
"The issue of control over access to sensitive health information will be of monumental significance if the card becomes linked to e-health systems in the future."
Separate and specific legislation is the only way to safeguard the operation of the Access Card and to protect information held on the cards, Dr Haikerwal said.
"This legislation should be separate from existing privacy and social security legislation, so that it can't be diluted by amendments," he said.
The AMA is also concerned about the safety issues raised by allowing people to voluntarily record medical information on their own Access Card.
"There is a concern over the reliability of information voluntarily recorded on the card by the cardholder," Dr Haikerwal said.
"It could be risky for the medical profession to rely on that information in an emergency, particularly where a patient is unconscious or unable to confirm details."
The AMA's submission can be viewed on the AMA website, at www.ama.com.au