Opt out of health records

[enf]

No double standard, just a misunderstanding by many people as to what happens after 31 January.

The deadline relates to the date that one automatically gets a record. Many people find they actually already have a record, without even knowing.

If you opt out before the end of 31 January, and no record already exists, then no record is created.

You can opt out whenever you want after the 31 January, but between that date and the date you opt out, there will be a record created. If you do opt out later you can choose to have that record either deleted or archived.

Likewise, if one has already opted out, they can opt in at any time.

The 31 January is simply the last date before a record is automatically created. It doesn’t mean one cannot opt out (or opt in) after this date.

And with regard to young people, that will be a choice of their parents as to whether they are in or out. They can then make their own choice when they are of a suitable age

A good explanation of the way it's SUPPOSED to work....we'll see....

[DB44]

It's just yet another example of how our woeful politicians can stuff up even the best ideas. As with enf's previous thread linking to the article on Afterpay and Debt Collectors accessing electoral roll data, we just can't trust these people. It's fantastic for Medical Professionals having access to your complete health records when you change Doctors or have an accident or go to a new specialist. Not the local debt collector. Not your son's girlfriend who works part-time at the local chemist. Not debt collectors. Not even the police without a very good reason and a warrant. I'm not sure how far they've improved things or if they have at all, but original reports indicated they were not even keeping proper records about who had access.

They need to have carefully drafted legislation which bans all access, then makes specific detailed exceptions including the purpose. No minister's discretion. Specific limitations on when a court can issue warrants. And heavy penalties for deliberate breaches. They have all of this often ridiculous privacy legislation about relatively minor things and then have open slather on important information.

[peteramjet]

It's just yet another example of how our woeful politicians can stuff up even the best ideas. As with enf's previous thread linking to the article on Afterpay and Debt Collectors accessing electoral roll data, we just can't trust these people.

More of an issue is how misguided parts of the media are, and how the public believes everything published.

The accessing of electoral data is a non issue - that data can be accessed by anyone at any AEC office. Further, the users of Afterpay (et al) have given consent for their data to be accessed. Where is the mistrust?

Back on My Health Record, I personally have chosen to opt out, for the time being, until the system is properly tested.

[enf]

More of an issue is how misguided parts of the media are, and how the public believes everything published.

Agree

The accessing of electoral data is a non issue - that data can be accessed by anyone at any AEC office. Further, the users of Afterpay (et al) have given consent for their data to be accessed. Where is the mistrust?

Well, is it clearly stated for them? Or is it buried in legal mumbo. I dunno, as I've never used it and hope I never do. I'll take your word for it if you say it is.

Back on My Health Record, I personally have chosen to opt out, for the time being, until the system is properly tested.

I have done this too.

[lsemmens]

I actually did the opt out for a friend this evening. It surprised me how easy it was. Certainly not something I've come to expect from out Government.

[fromaron]

It will be interesting to compare how many people opt out having active social media profiles in place. I bet the numbers will be contradicting .

[Uncle Fester]

You can opt out whenever you want after the 31 January, but between that date and the date you opt out, there will be a record created. If you do opt out later you can choose to have that record either deleted or archived.

That is incorrect. Once a record is created it can only be deleted 35years after your death, at least that was what I read last time I visited their site
Even if they now suddenly changed that, it is totally irrelevant.
Once a digital record has been created, after a certain time it has been backed up and/or shared with third parties which makes it impossible to delete, just like pretty much everything else that has been recorded and shared about you, with or without your approval.

[peteramjet]

That is incorrect. Once a record is created it can only be deleted 35years after your death, at least that was what I read last time I visited their site.

The MHR website specifically says the data is deleted.

Once a digital record has been created, after a certain time it has been backed up and/or shared with third parties which makes it impossible to delete, just like pretty much everything else that has been recorded and shared about you, with or without your approval.

Indeed - which I why there are a deadline for those not wanting a record created.

Any records that are stored in MHR are stored on some other system - your GP, med centre, specialist, Medicare, PBS, etc. If people’s sole reason for not wanting a MHR is because they don’t want data stored on a server somewhere, then they should reconsider, as their data is already online through their medical providers.