Australian Private Hospitals Association (APHA) president Richard Royle has been named on the committee that will oversee the rebooted personalised My Health Record system for patients and doctors.
The My Health Record system is part of a $485 million package to strengthen and transform national digital health governance through an Australian Commission for eHealth.
“In this modern world where technology makes information sharing boundless, it is essential Australia has a national digital health system and My Health Record makes up an important part of this system,” Health Minister Sussan Ley said.
“As patients, we’ve all been in the situations where we’ve had to attend another GP surgery because we were out of town or couldn’t get an appointment with our regular doctor. It can be a time consuming and often frustrating experience for patients and doctors alike.”
Mr Royle, UnitingCare Health’s executive director, has been elected on the Implementation Taskforce Steering Committee to represent the private health sector.
He brings a wealth of knowledge to the committee, having overseen the development of Australia’s first fully integrated digital hospital, St Stephen’s Hospital, in Hervey Bay.
The committee, chaired by Ms Robyn Kruk, will oversee the transition of the My Health Record system from the Department of Health and the National e-Health Transition Authority to the Australian Commission for eHealth.
Ms Kruk and Mr Royle will be assisted by the skills and expertise of Dr Steve Hambleton, Dr Ewen McPhee, Dr Chris Pearce, Dr Eileen Doyle, Ms Jan Donovan, Mr Peter Cooper, Mr Mike Walsh, Mr Stephen Moo and Mr Paul Madden.
