Shared Digital Health Record

The Shared Digital Health Record is a data service designed to securely share patient data across healthcare settings. Over time, healthcare providers nationwide will be able to access and update a patient's core health information through this new service. Providers will have secure access to critical health information such as allergies, adverse reactions, conditions, encounters, and observations.

In the first phase of the project, Health NZ is collaborating with primary care providers who opt in, to collect and share read-only versions of data held in practice management systems (PMSs). This data will be accessible through existing shared patient record systems.

Healthcare consumers will have the option to opt out if they prefer not to share their information.

Further development of the Shared Digital Health Record, subject to funding, will expand access to other parts of the health system, including first responders, hospitals, and specialist services. Additional types and sources of health information from various care settings will also be integrated.

With patient consent, health professionals will be able to securely access health information at any time, including during emergencies. For instance, if someone is unconscious in an emergency department, the Shared Digital Health Record will provide rapid access to potentially life-saving information about their allergies, medications, and medical history.

Ensuring people’s data privacy and security is key.

• Health NZ will be transparent about how data is being used and there will be a simple process if healthcare consumers wish to opt out.
• Any current privacy/confidentiality notifications about patient data in primary care systems will be observed. ·
• If a patient has given permission, patient information can only be accessed for the purposes of delivering healthcare, other than for specific and tightly controlled exemptions.
• It is expected that clinical users will only access a person’s record with patient permission, unless there is a strong justification for doing otherwise, such as in an emergency situation.
• Access to patient information will be monitored and audited, and people will be able to request details of who is accessing their records.

• There will be a community engagement plan and approach, with reference to previous consumer research, including that undertaken as part of the Hira Programme.
• The Health NZ Shared Digital Health Record programme team is working closely with the primary care sector to determine what data is made available for clinical use and how it will be used and kept safe.