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This weekly blog is to explore the news around the larger issues around Digital Health, data security, data privacy, AI / ML. technology, social media and related matters.
I will also try to highlight ADHA Propaganda when I come upon it.
Just so we keep count, the latest Notes from the ADHA Board were dated 6 December, 2018 and we have seen none since! Its pretty sad!
Note: Appearance here is not to suggest I see any credibility or value in what follows. I will leave it to the reader to decide what is worthwhile and what is not! The point is to let people know what is being said / published that I have come upon.
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Meat giant JBS’ cyber woes lay bare a dangerous reality
Investigative journalist and columnist
June 5, 2021 — 12.01am
A cyberattack by a criminal network that brought the world’s biggest meat processing company to its knees has put the spotlight on food supply chain issues and how we got here.
The meat processing giant at the centre of this week’s cyber attack, JBS, forced the shutdown of 47 locations in Australia, as well as sites in the US and Canada, as it attempted to grapple with the ransomware attack on its systems.
By June 3 the company issued a press release from the US saying it was all over. “The company’s swift response, robust IT systems and encrypted backup servers allowed for a rapid recovery. As a result, [we] were able to limit the loss of food produced during the attack to less than one days’ worth of production.”
That may be so, but the sad reality is companies operating in the food supply chain are high value targets. It means, the bigger the company; the bigger the target on its back.
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https://medicalrepublic.com.au/fracgp-trademark-or-qualification-how-much-for-medical-director/46882
4 June 2021
Is Medical Director worth $500m and what does its sale to Telstra mean for GPs?
I’ve written numerous stories over the years about how much Medical Director (MD), one of our two largest GP patient management vendors, is worth, and more recently about what it might mean if it was sold to Telstra Health, as strong rumours suggest.
In my recent calculation (Our 11 most valuable digital health companies) , Medical Director is worth about $220 million.
Wrong apparently (it occurs quite a bit that I’m wrong as things go).
According to insiders at the Australian Financial Review this week, the going price for the company is going to be about $500 million, and Telstra Health, as previously reported by The Medical Republic, is the front runner in an auction that is due to end early next month.
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Kylie Ward: Dare to be Different, one leader Trailblazing the Path to Advance Nurse Leadership in Australia
Nursing has been at the forefront of our lives, as the global pandemic has dominated our countries and way of life. Never in living memory has there been such a strong demand for the expertise of the well-respected profession and strong demand for highly qualified nurses all over the world.
The nursing profession allows for one to specialize in a wide variety of health, social, education, and policy areas to name a few. However, nursing also relies on strong leadership to guide large staff groups, ensure high-quality care and help design social health policy.
In an interview with the Analytics Insight Magazine, CEO of The Australian College of Nursing (ACN), Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN shares her inspiration and knowledge behind providing world-class education opportunities, advocacy of the nurse’s voices to government, and strong support to the profession right across Australia. Her work at the helm is committed to enhancing the health care of all Australians.
Note: Ms Ward is an ADHA Board Member.
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https://www.australiantimes.co.uk/at/australia-lays-foundations-for-a-prosperous-digital-economy/
Australia lays foundations for a prosperous digital economy
The government has announced a budget plan to implement digital economy strategies to establish supportive infrastructure for businesses. However, experts claim the budget allocation of some sectors such as networks is not enough to put the nation at an equal competitive level with Asian, European, and North American counterparts.
Technology, particularly digital technology, has become an integral part of the business ecosystem in the rapidly changing global market. With the rising need for infrastructural support, Australia is fighting to secure its future place by supporting digitization. Over the course of 2020, Australia’s gaming industry has thrived across mobile gaming, consoles, and e-sports.
Digitizing the Economy Down Under
Australia’s government is planning to set the pace by leading other departments and companies in providing digital services. The government has budgeted AU$1.2b to improve its AI and cybersecurity, which are the major concerns.
The digitization strategy also includes a change in policies set to define Australia’s 2030 technological vision.
From the budget, AU$124 million is allocated to improve Artificial intelligence. AU$50 million of this money will be used to establish a National AI Centre.
However, Ron Gauci, the Australian Information Industry Association(AIIA) CEO, thinks the government should boost the investment to AU$250 million to catch up with other major economies.
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‘This is enough’: Wave of ransomware attacks to force Biden into more aggressive stance on Russia
By Andrea Shalal
June 3, 2021 — 6.24am
Washington: A ransomware attack on JBS, the world’s largest meat processor, by a criminal group likely based in Russia has strengthened the Biden administration’s resolve to hold Moscow responsible for costly cyber assaults - even if they are not directly linked to the Kremlin.
The JBS hack, which shut down Australia’s largest meat processor this week, is the third major cyberattack linked to hackers from Russia since Biden took office in January, following attacks aimed at Colonial Pipeline and software made by SolarWinds Corp.
JBS is a Brazilian company with extensive US and Australian operations.
US President Joe Biden has launched a review of the threat posed by ransomware attacks and he will discuss the issue of harbouring such hackers with Russian President Vladimir Putin this month, the White House said on Wednesday (Thursday).
“President Biden certainly thinks that President Putin and the Russian government has a role to play in stopping and preventing these attacks,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Wednesday.
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https://which-50.com/in-defence-of-my-health-record/
In defence of My Health Record
Dr Steve Hambleton June 3, 2021 ADHA Propaganda
In April, Which-50 ran a series of articles critical of the Federal government’s implementation of My Health Record. The system is, however, not without its defenders. One such is Dr Steve Hambleton, a GP and Independent Clinical Advisor to the Digital Health Agency. This is his response.
My patients benefit from the information that I and their other healthcare providers upload to, and view in, My Health Record.
Why? When healthcare providers upload their patients’ information, they save the patient from having to remember and repeat their medical history and carry around hard copies of medical documents. In my patient health summaries, I include the results of my patients’ significant investigations, like echocardiograms and endoscopy findings.
I want my patients’ other healthcare providers, such as hospitals and specialists, to have rapid access to relevant information when they are caring for them. And I want my patients to be able to access their medical history if they can’t contact me. As a part time GP, that is important.
Up–to–date information can also prevent unnecessary duplication of diagnostic imaging and pathology testing. More and more public and private providers are sharing their results with My Health Record, making it a reliable source of key information. With the latest specialist software, test results in My Health Record will be displayed alongside locally held test results — I can’t wait for that to flow to general practice.
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https://apo.org.au/node/312581
Protecting freedom of thought in the digital age
31 May 2021
Publisher Centre for International Governance Innovation
Consumer protection Data protection Digital disruption Digital identity Sector regulation Human rights
Resources
Protecting freedom of thought in the digital age 143.97 KB
Description
As digital technology plays an ever-increasing role in our lives, the need for regulations to protect our rights to freedom of thought and opinion is becoming more apparent, especially with regard to social media platforms’ relentless mission to get inside people’s heads using their personal data. International human rights law protects our right to freedom of thought, which includes the right to keep our thoughts and opinions private, the right not to have our thoughts and opinions manipulated, and the right not to be penalised for our thoughts and opinions. This policy brief explores strategies to protect these rights in digital spaces.
Key points:
- International human rights law prohibits states from violating our rights and puts a positive obligation on them to protect our absolute right to freedom of thought from the activities of businesses by creating adequate legal and regulatory frameworks.
- Protecting freedom of thought requires innovation from technologists and law makers to think very carefully about the future we want and to create the incentives we need to protect freedom of thought and drive technological innovation in a new direction for the future.
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https://www.3knd.org.au/post/dr-jill-benson-yarns-about-digital-health-in-tjuntjuntjara
June 2, 2021
Dr Jill Benson Yarns about Remote Health and National Reconciliation Week
Dr. Jill Benson AM grew up in the southern suburbs of Sydney and has lived in Adelaide for the last 35 years. She has done volunteer work throughout the world including Vanuatu (WHO mental health consultant), remote eastern Nepal during the Maoist insurgency, and most recently in Fukushima, Japan.
Jill now has 45 letters after her name and, as being a GP means, has changed her focus many times. She has worked mostly in Aboriginal health and refugee health for the last 20 years and also in mainstream general practice as a practice owner, university health, corporate health, travel medicine, doctors’ health, public health (with a PhD in public health), research, mental health, medical education and a few other areas. She has just become a FACRRM through ACRRM’s Rural Experienced Entry to Fellowship (REEF) Program.
I’ve done a lot of remote work in the last 20 years, a small amount of rural work, and some fly-in/fly-out work in underprivileged areas in other countries. I know that rural and remote work requires a different skill-set as well as a different mindset. I wanted to have the credibility with my younger colleagues to support them in undertaking similar work to what I have done over the years, and thought that a FACRRM would give me that recognition.
Technology brings better health care to one of the most remote communities in the world. In one of the most remote communities in the world, the Aboriginal community of Tjuntjuntjara in Western Australia, telehealth and the use of My Health Record have transformed health care delivery.
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Director - Legal Services
Job Description
A key leadership role within the Corporate Services Division supporting overall success of the ADHA.
About
the Role
The Australian Digital Health Agency is responsible for national digital health
services and systems, with a focus on engagement, innovation and clinical
quality and safety. The focus is on putting data and technology safely to work
for patients, consumers and the healthcare professionals who look after them.
The Director, Legal Services collaborates with the General Counsel to develop
and manage the Legal Services team, oversee and lead daily operations and
ensure the wider Agency is equipped with high-quality and effective support.
With a strong focus on people management, operational efficiency and
involvement with the wider agency, the role is responsible for:
- Monitoring and allocating workload
- Providing second counsel legal advices
- Ensuring timely and effective delivery of legal tasks
- Managing corporate priorities and key objectives
- Implementing practice management tools to ensure the optimum performance of the legal services function.
- Development of stakeholder relationships
- Provision of performance reporting and forecasting
- Involvement in organisational initiatives and active participation in leadership team activities.
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How automation and robots can accelerate the vaccine rollout
UiPath
By Luke Kelly, Director Global Services, UiPath
Australia & New Zealand
Tuesday, 01 June, 2021
History’s largest vaccination program is well on its way. As we pass more than one year from the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of vaccinations are being administered each day all over the globe. But while some countries have been able to act quickly and roll out their vaccine programs, others haven’t been able to move at pace.
In Australia, we’re fortunate that the COVID-19 response was relatively successful. Swift government action in the early stages of the pandemic meant we’re now in a position to ease social distancing restrictions but quickly introduce measures and lockdowns when there are cases to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the community.
But while our response has been praised globally, our vaccine rollout program hasn’t attracted the same recognition. Looking beyond the political discourse around vaccination sourcing and production delays, our vaccine rollout has been slower than most. In fact, as of May 2021, Australia is nearly 3 million doses behind the official government plan. There is increasing pressure on the government and healthcare industry to speed up the rollout and relook at its vaccination strategy.
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ALIA HLA Workshop: My Health Record – What is it, and why do I need to know about it?
Region National ADHA Propaganda
Category ALIA Event
Date(s) Tuesday 29 June 2021 1:00pm to 2:30pm
Contact details Gemma Siemensma 0353204455
More information / Register
ALIA HLA Workshop: My Health Record – What is it, and why do I need to know about it?
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https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=f67f228c-6a5f-4cbf-8b91-c060f52940a7
The next GDPR? How the EU's newly proposed artificial intelligence regulation may affect Australian businesses
Clayton Utz Eleanor Dickens and Sophie Bradshaw
Australia, European Union May 27 2021
A recent proposal by the European Union Commission for harmonised regulation of artificial intelligence may set the benchmark for AI regulation in Australia.
Recent years have seen rapid advancements in the functions and capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI). With this has come a suite of associated risks, particularly those concerning privacy, health and safety and potential intrusion into human rights. The question for governments, regulators and policy makers is how to regulate the risks associated with AI, without stifling innovation and the potentially significant societal benefits that come with AI. As with any emerging technology, it can be difficult to strike this balance. The European Union Commission has taken an important first step in the release of its long-awaited proposal for harmonised regulation of AI in the EU (the EU Proposal). The EU Proposal, released on 21 April 2021 proposes a risk-assessment approach to the regulation of AI and follows several years of public consultation, reports and papers released by the Commission. While it could be several years before the regulations proposed by the Commission become law in the EU, the EU Proposal nevertheless serves as a compelling benchmark for proposed AI regulation around the world.
AI regulation proposed by the Commission
The EU Proposal essentially regulates the way in which AI may be put to the market and used in the EU. It proposes classifying AI systems according to the level of risk posed, ranging from "minimal risk' through to "high risk" and "unacceptable risk". (This would be in addition to the existing restrictions for automated decision-making and profiling contained in the EU General Data Protection Regulation.)
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https://stayhappening.com/e/my-health-record-at-rainbow-beach-E2ISTN4WWPO
My Health Record at Rainbow Beach
Thu Jul 15 2021 at 10:00 am to 12:00 pm UTC+10:00
Rainbow Beach Library | Rainbow Beach
Publisher/Host Gympie Regional Libraries ADHA Propaganda
Your My Health Record account is a convenient way to keep all your medical information together in one place. You can work with your doctor to build a Shared Health Summary and set things up so people have all the information they need to help you in an emergency. This course will introduce you to My Health Record and help you get started, as well as give you some examples for where My Health Record is useful.
Rainbow Beach
Library - Thursday 15 July 10-12noon
Bookings essential: phone 5486 3705 or click on the link to book
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/156212550945
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Melbourne lockdown delays HealthData21, now to be virtual
Friday, 28 May, 2021
Due to the recent cluster of COVID-19 cases and restrictions announced in Melbourne, and the travel advisory issued by various state governments, HealthData21 has been deferred until June 2021 and will be delivered online.
The AIDH (Australasian Institute of Digital Health) events team is working hard to ensure that all curated content for this conference is delivered to delegates. Those who are registered will have the opportunity to watch sessions live or on-demand, interact with speakers and network with other delegates. The specifics are still being finalised and more details will be provided soon.
For speakers: New dates will be confirmed next week according to availability and next step guidelines in preparing for the virtual conference.
For delegates: As per the conference terms and conditions, your registration will automatically transfer to the virtual event. If you are not able to attend a session live, you will have access to the platform for a limited time.
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Comments more than welcome!
David.
This job advert caught my eye:
ReplyDelete"Director - Legal Services
Job Description
A key leadership role within the Corporate Services Division supporting overall success of the ADHA.
About the Role
...
The Director, Legal Services collaborates with the General Counsel to develop and manage the Legal Services team, oversee and lead daily operations and ensure the wider Agency is equipped with high-quality and effective support."
This is a tin pot little agency who's only real purpose is to manage a contract with Accenture to run a database system.
Why would they need a General Counsel and a Director, Legal Services who manages a Legal Services team?
The job advert says "The total remuneration package for this position is $146,411 to $173,343 (inc super)"
Let's assume that the full cost of this role (including on-costs) is $300,000. That's a pretty standard Public Service calculation.
The Legal Services team is probably at least three, which gives a total headcount of five, including General Counsel. Sticking with the $300k annual cost as an average, that's about $1.5million on legal services.
The big question is "What are these people all doing?" and, more interestingly, "Why?"
Looking at www.digitalhealth.gov.au and the latest Annual Report there is no mention of any General Counsel or Legal Services Team. I cannot imagine that someone preforming the role of General Counsel would not be on the executive management team.
The legislation under which ADHA operates specifies that ADHA is permitted to have board members who can provide Legal Services and Advice; similarly for the Membership of Privacy and Security Advisory Committee.
There is no mention of General Counsel or a Legal Services team.
I may have this totally wrong, but it looks as though the ADHA has suddenly found itself in need of some serious legal advice and has decided to grow itself a legal services team with some clout.
This sort of advice usually goes with the development and/or modification of legislation.
I wonder what that might be?
Or maybe they are being sued?
This is all pure conjecture, I am speculating on the background to the job advertisement.
Bernard, we have always had a General Counsel and legal team, also draw of government legal services. They do a range of things. The GC is great.
ReplyDeleteThanks for putting me right.
ReplyDeleteThat does modify Bernard’s question - so are ADHA in a steady stream of legal arguements? I do understand that a certain someone created a few ‘legal’ issues in her wake, mostly HR related I am lead to believe.
ReplyDeleteThat to one side it is probably wise they have people who can interpret and make comment on legislation and other government matters, ADHA has not earned a reputation as a thought leading powerhouse of knowledge.
Seems Dr Hambleton is a career apologist/ defender of the My Health Record. With simple advance my vendors like Apple through the adoption of FHIR, do you think he understands how much of an obstacle the my health record is to achieving what he states as empower the patient and the care teams?
ReplyDeleteIf I understand you correctly 10:42 AM. No I do not believe he truely appreciates the power the humble smart phone provdes consumers, or the potential FHIR and other health related standards and communication methods offer. I wonder if Apple would even work with ADHA, one having very strict policies around privacy by design the other confuses privacy with obfuscation.
ReplyDelete