Health data hit multiple times
THE Federal Government’s supposedly secure My Health Record system has been hit by nine data breaches in two years.
The revelation comes as Health Minister Greg Hunt bowed to mounting public pressure and strengthened privacy provisions relating to accessing the online medical records system.
Mr Hunt has previously claimed My Health Record has military grade security, saying his advice was that there had been “no data breaches and no releases to any law enforcement agencies after six years”.
However, in its own question and answer publication sent to doctors, the Australian Digital Health Agency, which runs the system, admits there have been nine associated data breaches.
“In the 2016-17 financial year, there were six data breach notifications within My Health Record, and three notifications in the previous financial year,” the agency said.
“Of the six data breaches reported by the agency, four were the result of alleged fraudulent Medicare claims.
“The remaining two breaches were the result of a consumer accessing a My Health Record that was not their own due to a processing error by the Department of Human Services.”
There were no financial or jail penalties applied as a result of the breaches even though the agency says there are penalties of up to $126,000 or a two-year jail term.
There has been widespread concern about the security of digital files held in the system. A survey of 471 doctors by Australian Doctor magazine has found eight in 10 plan to opt out of the record because they do not trust it will be useful or kept up to date.
Mr Hunt met with the Australian Medical Association and College of General Practitioners on Tuesday and announced changes to the deletion of records and extended the opt-out period until November 12.
But Australians who want to opt out using paper forms have complained they can’t access them unless they live in a rural area.
My Health Record’s Dr Steve Hambleton said people who did not have access to a computer could ring the My Health Record opt out hotline. A CAIRNS swim school is eyeing its next opportunity under the National Disability Insurance Scheme after picking up a national award this week.
Bill Evans and the team at Edge Hill’s C-Me Swim received the national inclusion award at the Australian Swim Schools Association conference on Tuesday night.
“It’s a pretty big deal,” he said. “Mostly for us it’s recognition for what we’ve been doing for 32 years.
“We are a family-based business and it is great to get noticed for something we’re really passionate about.
“Providing lessons for seniors, children, those with a disability is something we’ve always done. Swimming is one of those sports that everyone can participate in.” Mr Evans hopes to register with the NDIS and provide more services for customers of different abilities in the future.
“That opens up a lot more avenues for us,” he said.
“We want people to enjoy what water can bring to you, and to bring the water safety message to everyone. It’s not just the safety side of it, there are the great health benefits.”