Should I stay or should I go? My Health Record starts three-month opt-out period

Australians now have until October 15 to opt out of the Federal Government’s national digital health record system – otherwise a My Health Record will automatically be created for them.  

So should you opt out? We’ve been following both sides of the debate – these articles for and against at The Conversation are a good starting point – and they both have valid arguments.  

There’s no question that having your health data in one place that is digitally accessible from anywhere is useful. 

But there is the risk of security and privacy breaches and the chance that your data could be used for other purposes – think the recent sharing of personal user information with third parties by online doctor booking service Health Engine. 

But as a nurse, I can see the benefits, especially as people navigate the home care, aged care and hospital systems. 

All your medical information in one place 

Imagine this – Mum has had a fall and goes into hospital. Afterwards, she needs to use one of the Government’s Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) places in an aged care home before she returns home.  

On advice from her GP, she applies for a home care package to help her stay at home with some assistance with house maintenance, cleaning and shopping. 

A digital record could help you, your family and healthcare professionals track your medications and treatments and ensure everyone is aware of any health conditions or advance care planning. 

There are privacy and alert settings you can set up too. You can choose what information is stored on the Record and who has access to it such as family members, carers and healthcare providers. Records or individual documents can also be locked so they are only available using a PIN code.  

Importantly you can also opt to not allow your data to be shared for secondary purposes. 

It’s worth finding out more. 

You can call My Health Record on 1800 723 471 or use their online portal here

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A special thanks to our contributors

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Caroline Egan

DCM Media, agedcare101

Caroline has a wealth of experience writing within the retirement and aged care sector and is a contributing journalist for the Villages.com.au and agedcare101 blog and accompanying newsletters.

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Ian Horswill

Journalist

Ian is a journalist, writer and sub-editor for the aged care sector, working at The DCM Group. He writes for The Weekly Source, agedcare101, villages.com.au and the DCM Institute fortnightly newsletter Friday. Ian is in daily contact with CEOs of retirement living, land lease and the aged care operations and makes a new contact every week. He investigates media releases, LinkedIn and Facebook for a good source for ideas for stories.

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Lauren Broomham

Retirement and Aged Care Journalist

Lauren is a journalist for villages.com.au, agedcare101 and The Donaldson Sisters. Growing up in a big family in small town communities, she has always had a love for the written word, joining her local library at the age of six months. With over eight years' experience in writing and editing, she is a keen follower of news and current affairs with a nose for a good story.

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Jill Donaldson

Physiotherapist

Jill has been practicing as a clinical physiotherapist for 30 years. For the last 13 years she has worked solely in the Aged Care sector in more than 50 metropolitan and regional facilities. Jill has also toured care facilities in the US and Africa and is a passionate advocate for both the residents in aged care and the staff who care for them. She researches and writes for DCM Media.

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Chris Baynes

DCM Media, agedcare101

Chris has been a journalist and publisher in the retirement village and aged care sectors for 11 years. He has visited over 250 retirement villages and 50 aged care facilities both within Australia and internationally. Chris is a regular speaker at industry conferences plus is a frequent radio commentator.

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Annie Donaldson

Nurse and Carer

Annie has a long career in both nursing and the media. She has planned and co-ordinated the medical support from both international TV productions and major stadium events. In recent years she has been a primary family carer plus involved in structured carer support.