It has been revealed in a recent report that the new eHealth system proposed by the federal government has come into force on July 1 as per the decision. Despite privacy breaches, the privacy commissioner launched the system that would bring a reform in the healthcare.

As per the findings, the allegations regarding privacy protections are being denied by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). It has thus fought in favour of the new system.

Timothy Pilgrim, the privacy commissioner, has also urged the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs to amend the Privacy Act so that the OAIC could make proper investigations in civil penalty provisions breaching.

The law has been introduced as per the Personally Controlled Electronic Health Records Regulation 2012 legislation and the Personally Controlled Electronic Health Records Act 2012 (PCEHR Act). According to the same, all the basic information would be kept permanent in systems and all the medications and prescriptions would also be noted on screens.

Pilgrim has further asked healthcare providers not to collect more information than required as well as to ensire that staff is properly trained to maintain eHealth records. "You are in control, so make sure you understand how your personal and health information will be collected, used and disclosed”, he said to consumers.