To AFR 20Apr10Last week I reported on some aspects of the health care system from my view in Bed 23 of a ward in one of Melbourne’s teaching hospitals. The superb care continues to be delivered under the brilliant Hospital-in-the-Home service. The only criticisms, so far, relate to the common experiences of trying to deliver care safely and efficiently inside a building that is well past its’ use-by date.
From my observations, it could be said that modern health care in Australia must thrive on redundancy of information. I lost count of the number of times I was asked about simple historical facts, such as current medications, past operations, previous illnesses and allergies. My GP controls the treatment for my mild hypertension, so the list of current medications should have been available instantly at the hospital, by electronic transfer of the data.
Paul Gross, health economist, makes the point that reforms will stall unless the essential enablers for electronic health records are in place. Further, the kernel of a national EHR system is a national identifier system. Politicians, however, are easily frightened away from discussion of a national identifier because someone is always on hand to whisper “Australia Card!”. Those fears betray the immaturity of the discussion about health care reform. It may be cheap fun to watch the fancy footwork and the shilly-shally, but, really, it’s time for authentic leadership on the issue.
The simple fact is that electronic health records, not the GST money, underpin all future reforms. We need a proper national identifier service that is applicable to all aspects of civic engagement, right now.
And as it appeared, thanks Gareth.
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