Opt out period for national electronic health database begins

[Vero]

It appears “My health record” offers 3 months period for us to adjust preferences to who will have access to our medical data.

there could be some ad campaign about it on tv, but I have not switched it on for a while. I have noticed short article about it in the press. I am posting about this here as there maybe many people like myself who periodically do not monitor or deliberately avoid news

I don’t have many details about it yet. It maybe a good idea to check this federal gov initiative.

[Dniaiu]

Hi Geoff,
regarding "I believe it's possible to have all your files deleted at some stage" the Myhealth website says
"If you remove a document, depending on the document type, you may be able to reinstate it at a later date."
That's not deleted! It's still there, ready to have a Show/Don't_Show flag changed!
https://www.myhealthrecord.gov.au/for-you-your-family/howtos/remove-information
Also from the MyHealth website, regarding cancelling your record:
"Once your record is cancelled, it will be kept for 30 years after your death or, if the date of death is unknown, for 130 years after the date of your birth.
It may be accessed by us for maintenance, audit and other purposes required or authorised by law."
https://www.myhealthrecord.gov.au/for-you-your-family/howtos/cancel-my-record

This, IMHO, is too important to be discussed based on anything other than the current facts, which is why I have included the URLs.

[Vero]

Hi All,

medical files contain false information - not easy to correct

Number of students shared with me their experiences with mental health system. Similar to my experience their medical files have alternative version of their history. I don’t have time to check the stats how many people report this, but I would guess there would be a lot of people like myself who did not have time to report this or choose not to report it to minimise trauma to themselves.

I have raise the problem with neuropsychologist’s superior but of course neuropsychologist was seen to be right. I would have to put up huge fight to have her “alternative reality” changed or removed.

Human rights in Australia

the right to privacy is not guaranteed and other human rights are not protected by our constitution. Although Australia signed the international covenant for civil and political rights, thiS has not been rectified and the best power it offers is to lodge a complaint. Unlike Britain, Australia has no Bill of Rights. Unlike the USA, Australia’s constitution does not incorporate provision to protect human rights and liberties. The best we have is reliance on case law which is unpredictable in outcome and requires the use of major legal resources to prosecute.

The electronic health database appears a very utilitarian ambition. Quite opposite any liberal ideals. Our liberalism more and more resembles socialism.