End seven-day ‘lock’ on patients seeing tests results in My Health Record: Mark Butler
Viewing results without a doctor's explanation is low risk, says the health department's consultation.
Health officials will weigh up whether pathology and imaging results in My Health Record should still be “locked” from patient access in the first week after they are uploaded.
The seven-day delay was introduced back in 2014 so that patients were less likely to look at results on their own before a doctor had explained them, according to the federal Department of Health and Aged Care.
There are a few exceptions — such as tests for respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, and results for HbA1c and INR tests.
However, Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler said earlier this year the delay was “a barrier to good clinical practice [and caused] untold frustration for Australians”.
