Amendments to health code considered

5 April 2007

Privacy Commissioner considering amendments to health code

The Privacy Commissioner is seeking public submissions on proposed amendments to the Health Information Privacy Code 1994.

The code sets specific rules for health sector agencies to ensure the protection of individuals' personal information. In the health sector, the code takes the place of the Privacy Act's information privacy principles, and deals with information collected, used, held and disclosed by health agencies.

Privacy Commissioner Marie Shroff says one of the proposed changes is to allow health practitioners to disclose, in certain specific circumstances, patients' genetic information.

"For instance, if a GP were to discover that his or her patient's brother was likely to suffer from a serious but easily treatable genetic condition, this proposed amendment would allow the doctor to disclose that information to the brother."

Mrs Shroff says the other significant proposed change is to update the list of health agencies permitted to use National Health Index numbers to identify patients.

The NHI number helps to ensure patients are correctly identified, for example when receiving laboratory test results or in relation to adverse drug warnings, and for Ministry of Health statistics. Almost every New Zealander has an NHI number, and the use of these numbers is covered by the Health Information Privacy Code.

"The NHI is a key anchor for New Zealand's health information system. The overall purpose of the proposed change to the code is to improve the efficiency and responsiveness of medical care by updating and expanding the list of health organisations able to use NHI numbers to identify their patients."

Mrs Shroff stressed that ability to use the NHI did not amount to an ability to access personal health information.

Other proposed changes to the code relate to technical updates, such as removing and updating references to legislation or health agencies that have changed or no longer exist.

The closing date for written submissions to the proposed amendments is 28 May 2007. Further detail is available at www.privacy.org.nz .

ENDS

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