Government to review Labor’s e-health

THE Abbott Government will start a review of Labor’s e-health records system, after lacklustre take-up of the scheme by the public.

Picture: Nastco

THE Abbott Government will start a review of Labor's e-health records system, after lacklustre take-up of the scheme by the public.

Health Minister Peter Dutton said only a fraction of Australians had registered with the system, and few doctors were engaged.

His comments come after the previous government instigated the system to allow doctors across the country access health records, in an effort to improve treatment, especially in emergency situations.

But the system has suffered from slow take up amid fears of patients' privacy, and how the system would be maintained.

Mr Dutton said the lack of registrations had defeated the purpose of the system, and while the government support e-health records, a review was needed.

Among the terms of reference of the review was the "future role of the private sector in providing solutions", indicating the government may consider privatising the system in the future.

Originally published as Government to review Labor’s e-health