The Government Line on E-Health. Pity Its Over Simplistic and Being Oversold.

ABC Radio National Breakfast had a session on E-Health this morning.

E-health battleground explained

listen now | download audio

E-health is another political battleground opening up between the government and the opposition. More than $460 million was set aside in this month's budget to establish a national e-health system. Patient records would be available on-line, giving doctors ready access to their medical histories including medications, immunisations and test results. But the coalition has vowed to dump the measure, even though leader Tony Abbott voiced his strong support for electronic records when he was health minister.

Guests

Dr Nathan Pinskier
National Electronic Health Transition Authority

The web site is here

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/breakfast/stories/2010/2905500.htm

We are told the Health Identifier Service is all ready to go July 1, 2010 and that this will really make a difference – apparently overnight!

Oh dear, oh dear. Why not just be open and honest make it clear e-Health will be a long and difficult program that will take years to make a major difference?

Setting expectations too high is a very bad way to start!

David.