Here are a few I have come across the last week or so. Note: Each link is followed by a title and a few paragraphs. For the full article click on the link above title of the article. Note also that full access to some links may require site registration or subscription payment.
General Comment
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Quite an interesting week with ACT Health going live and sending out many thousands of random e-mails and texts with confused many. Seems to have settled down now.
Elon and Twitter and having a bit of a moment and it is not clear Twitter will survive – which I would miss!
Also seems the ADHA has missed some app deadlines. And these are meant to be the pros!
Have a fun read and be amazed at the ADHA salaries on offer
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People receive incorrect messages through ACT digital health record
By Lucy Bladen
Updated November 14 2022 - 5:56pm, first published 2:45pm
Canberrans signed up to the new ACT government's digital health record have mistakenly been sent messages about appointments and test results being available.
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The Canberra Times says: "Canberrans signed up to the
new ACT government's digital health record have mistakenly been sent messages
about appointments and test results being available."
It should more accurately say: Canberrans who had no idea their health
information had been compulsorily loaded into an Epic digital health record
were alarmed to receive emails out of the blue informing them about
appointments and test results being available, with a request to click on a
link, FFS.
Here's the story for those who subscribe: https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7980932/messages-mistakenly-sent-on-acts-new-digital-health-record/?cs=14329
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Union issues 'told you so' as new health record rollout gets off to a bumpy start
15 November 2022 | Lottie Twyford
Despite the transition taking more than a year, the Territory-wide Digital Health Record has gotten off to a somewhat bumpy start.
Some patients have reported having to deal with stressed staff members, while others received incorrect messages about appointments and test results which some believed to be a scam.
ACT Health on Monday (14 November) confirmed via social media some users had received a text message or email about test results being available but said it was due to an update.
“Users are advised this message is not a scam and was sent from the Digital Health Record,” the Facebook post read.
“Anyone who has received this message is advised you do not need to take any action.”
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https://www.itnews.com.au/news/nsw-passes-state-based-mandatory-data-breach-notification-587959
NSW passes state-based mandatory data breach notification
By Staff Writer on Nov 18, 2022 6:45AM
Without amendment.
Both houses of NSW parliament have passed mandatory data breach notification rules that will apply to state agencies and departments, statutory authorities, local councils and some universities.
The Privacy and Personal Information Protection Amendment Bill passed the upper house on Wednesday, having cleared the lower house the previous day.
The bill is now marked as “awaiting assent”. It is due to come into force a year after assent.
The leader of the opposition in the Legislative Council, Penny Sharpe, said state Labor “has been asking for these changes for quite some time.”
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https://wildhealth.net.au/lung-cancer-data-plan-could-fix-outcome-disparity/
17 November 2022
Lung cancer data plan could fix outcome disparity
Australia’s massive variation in lung cancer treatment can be fixed with a national clinical quality registry, experts say.
A protocol for a lung cancer registry to collect and report performance data and highlight variation in care was published recently in BMJ Open.
It aims to address the dearth of information needed by cancer patients, practitioners and governing bodies to improve cancer care outcomes in Australia and New Zealand.
“Regional reports identify substantial evidence-practice gaps, unwarranted variation from best practice, and variation in processes and outcomes of care between treating centres,” the authors wrote.
“The Australia and New Zealand Lung Cancer Registry (ANZLCR) will be developed as a Clinical Quality Registry to monitor the safety, quality and effectiveness of lung cancer care in Australia and New Zealand.”
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https://www.innovationaus.com/new-delays-strike-my-health-record-app/
New delays strike My Health Record app
Justin Hendry
Editor
15 November 2022
A consumer-facing My Health Record smartphone app built for the federal government has hit further delays and is now not expected to be publicly released until early 2023, a year later than first planned.
The Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA) revealed plans for the ‘my health’ app back in July 2021 to improve access to the electronic health record and complement other digital channels that connect to the system, including myGov and several third-party apps.
Accessibility has been an ongoing issue for the system, with just 1.2 million unique My Health Records accessed in 2020-21, a figure that climbed to 3.2 million last financial year with the help of COVID-19. Total active records currently sit at 23.4 million.
In November 2021, the agency contracted Adelaide-based IT solutions firm Chamonix to build the app at a cost of $2.1 million and said a bare-bones version would be ready for download in early 2022.
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https://www.itnews.com.au/news/adha-seeking-chief-digital-officer-587722
ADHA seeking chief digital officer
By Richard Chirgwin on Nov 15, 2022 7:00AM
Will be tasked with launching Android, iOS MyHealthRecord app.
The Australian Digital Health Agency has commenced public recruitment for a chief digital officer (CDO) role, which has been vacant since August.
The agency’s CTO Dr Malcolm described the job as a “a rare opportunity to shape the national digital health agenda”.
In its job ad, the agency said it seeks a leader for the “the creative, multi-disciplinary digital solutions division”, drawing on its “collaborative capabilities to shape digital health for Australia.”
The job reports to the CEO and is part of the senior executive committee.
ADHA's former CDO Steven Issa was there for almost four years before resigning. Holger Kaufmann has been acting in the CDO role since Issa’s departure.
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https://www.digitalhealth.gov.au/careers/senior-policy-advisor-27112022
Senior Policy Advisor
EL1 ($125,047 - $142,618)
Policy
Programs and Engagement Division > Policy
Brisbane,
Canberra, Sydney
Closing - 27 Nov 2022
Division Overview
Policy, Programs and Engagement – responsible for informing policies, managing external stakeholder relationships, and being the place of excellence for driving program delivery, reporting and outcomes.
Primary Purpose of Position
The EL1 Senior Policy Advisor is accountable, under broad direction, to provide specialist policy advice to inform the development and implementation of digital health policies, work collaboratively to support the progress of Agency initiatives and projects, and shape strategic thinking.
The EL1 Senior Policy Advisor is responsible for providing specialised policy knowledge in relation to relevant legislation. They will successfully engage with a wide variety of stakeholders to deliver effective solutions to challenging problems and opportunities and develop well informed policy advice on complex matters in tight timeframes that meets the needs of the Agency and the government.
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https://www.seek.com.au/job/59225921?type=standout
Director, Business Services
Australian Digital Health Agency
Sydney NSW
Government - Federal (Government & Defence)
$149,194 - $176,637 TRP incl superannuation
Full time 16 Nov, 2022
About the Agency
The Australian Digital Health Agency (the Agency) is responsible for national digital health services and systems, with a focus on engagement, innovation and clinical quality and safety. Our focus is on putting data and technology safely to work for patients, consumers and the healthcare professionals who look after them.
The Australian Digital Health Agency has an exciting opportunity to lead its corporate IT capability as it evolves its internal processes and systems, working closely with senior stakeholders to deliver diverse technology needs.
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https://www.seek.com.au/job/59227254?type=standout
Manager - Business Engagement & Systems Manager
Australian Digital Health Agency
Sydney NSW
Management (Information & Communication Technology)
$125,047 - $142,618 TRP incl superannuation
Full time
17 Nov, 2022
About the Agency
The Australian Digital Health Agency (the Agency) is responsible for national digital health services and systems, with a focus on engagement, innovation and clinical quality and safety. Our focus is on putting data and technology safely to work for patients, consumers and the healthcare professionals who look after them.
The Australian Digital Health Agency has a great opportunity for a qualified IT professional to play a key leadership role in our new developed IT Business Services Section.
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https://www.itnews.com.au/news/nsw-ready-to-pilot-decentralised-digital-id-587834
NSW ready to pilot decentralised digital ID
By Richard Chirgwin on Nov 16, 2022 12:15PM
Opt-in credential stored on users’ own phones.
The NSW government’s decentralised digital ID strategy is moving to a pilot phase.
For the pilot, the locally-stored ID will be created by the Service NSW app, allowing users to renew their Working with Children Check remotely, and offer the ID as a proof-of-age for alcohol purchases.
Outgoing minister for customer service and digital government Victor Dominello discussed the decentralised ID in an interview with iTnews in Novermber 2021, saying citizens’ control over their information is “important to our democratic future”.
In a statement today, Dominello emphasised the need for citizens to control their information.
“Recent cyber breaches have underlined the need to keep the control of our private information in the hands of the customer, and stop the need for the continual oversharing of our personal details,” Dominello said.
“We have put privacy, security and customer control at the heart of the NSW Digital Identity and its pilots.
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Special Announcement: 15 November 2022
ANDHealth+
Second Cohort Announced at
HLTH in
Las Vegas
Today we announced the five companies selected to take part
in the second cohort of our ANDHealth+ program, funded by the Australian
Government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).
Announced by ANDHealth Managing Director and CEO Bronwyn Le Grice at HLTH 2022
in Las Vegas, the five companies selected for the 2022 ANDHealth+ cohort are:
Baymatob: Tackling the leading cause of preventable
maternal death, this AI-powered wearable called ‘Oli PPH’ predicts post-partum
haemorrhage before birth, enabling intervention to improve the health of mums
and babies.
BioEye: Identifies and monitors mild traumatic brain
injuries (including concussion) through smartphone camera eye-tracking
technology, putting a validated neurological assessment in everyone’s hand.
Macuject: Aiming to save the sight of patients, Macuject uses AI-driven decision support to enable faster, better and more consistent decisions for clinicians, personalising the treatment of macular degeneration patients under their care.
Neurotologix: Pioneering the remote diagnosis of dizziness
and vertigo, ROMI is a portable, durable and accurate solution powered by a
fully integrated internet-of-things enabled system.
WeGuide: Driving simplicity and speed, WeGuide allows rapid, easy creation of personalised patient engagement tools for research trials and healthcare needs through their regulatory-approved no-code platform.
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Friday, 11 November 2022 17:08
Medibank attackers based in Russia, claims AFP chief
By Sam Varghese
The attackers behind the ransomware heist on medical insurer Medibank Group are believed to be in Russia, the Australian Federal Police claims, without naming any of those involved.
Commissioner Reece Kershaw told the media in Canberra on Friday afternoon that the intelligence collected thus far pointed to "a group of loosely affiliated cyber criminals, who are likely responsible for past significant breaches in countries across the world".
"These cyber criminals are operating like a business with affiliates and associates, who are supporting the business," he said. "We also believe some affiliates may be in other countries."
In a statement issued on Friday, the Russian embassy in Australia said Kershaw's statement had been "made before the AFP even contacted the Russian side through the existing professional channels of communication.
"We encourage the AFP to duly get in touch with the respective Russian law enforcement agencies.
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Sunday, 13 November 2022 17:59
Govt announces 100-strong force to hunt down online attackers
By Sam Varghese
A 100-person strong task force, formed jointly by the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Signals Directorate, will be given the job of hunting down those who commit crimes online.
Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil and Federal Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus made the announcement jointly on Saturday, a day after the AFP commissioner Reece Kershaw claimed that those behind the ransomware attack on medical insurance provider Medibank Group were based in Russia. Ransomware generally attacks only systems running Microsoft's Windows operating system.
O'Neil, who is also responsible for online security, said: "This is the formalisation of a partnership, a standing body in the Australian Government, which will day in, day out, hunt down the scumbags who are responsible for these malicious crimes against innocent people.
"Around 100 officers across these two organisations will be a part of this permanent Joint Standing Operation. They will show up to work every day with the goal of bringing down these gangs and thugs.
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Australia sets up 100-strong permanent 'operation' to target hackers
By Ry Crozier on Nov 12, 2022 11:26AM
With a global remit.
Australia will set up a permanent operation comprising around 100 police and defence personnel to “hack the hackers”, with an immediate priority to target ransomware groups.
The personnel come together from the Australian Federal Police and Australian Signals Directorate under what is being termed a “joint standing operation”.
“This operation will collect intelligence and identify ring-leaders, networks and infrastructure in order to disrupt and stop their operations – regardless of where they are,” Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus and Minister for Cyber Security Clare O’Neil said on Saturday morning.
The operation will aim to “stop… incidents before they start”; in addition, “where incidents do take place… cyber criminals will be hunted down and their networks disrupted.”
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‘Useless’: Medibank customers rage as more health records revealed
Ayesha de Kretser Senior Reporter
Nov 14, 2022 – 6.48pm
Another 500 Medibank health records have been posted online, this time related to mental health and other illnesses, as more customers express anger at the insurer’s handling of the most invasive data breach in Australia’s history.
The latest file takes the number of health records released online to 1243 and the hackers said they would pause for Medibank’s annual meeting on Wednesday and resume posting on Friday.
“We’ll announce that next portion of data we’ll publish at [sic] Friday, bypassing this week completely in a hope something meaningful happened on Wednesday,” the criminals said online.
The company said it was now “in the process of contacting customers” including those 500 record holders caught up in the latest data dump, related to a range of different mental health concerns and other illnesses.
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Medibank faces new headaches as it finds staff data has also been hacked
By Colin Kruger
November 15, 2022 — 10.08am
Medibank Private has told employees that their data, including mobile and work device numbers, was stolen by the hackers, which potentially opens up new vulnerabilities for its computer systems.
The theft was part of the same hack which acquired data on all 9.7 million current and former customers, including sensitive health information on around 500,000 policyholders. These details were posted on a blog that has been linked to REvil, a ransomware gang with strong Russian links, but the information is now being hosted on other dark websites, according reports.
The email Medibank sent to employees on Monday evening said hackers have accessed data on roughly 900 current and former employees – including their names, email addresses, their mobile phone numbers and work device information - and posted it on the dark web on Wednesday, November 9.
“Our security team have advised that the information above may be used for increased spam such as spear fishing and social engineering,” Medibank said in the email.
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Tuesday, 15 November 2022 07:17
Medibank data linked off same forum on which Optus data was leaked
Data published by the individual(s), who attacked the medical insurer Medibank Group using ransomware, has now been linked to from a forum on the clear Web, the same forum where the data from telco Singtel Optus was released. Ransomware generally attacks only systems running Microsoft's Windows operating system.
Security researcher Brett Callow posted a tweet about the appearance of the links. The person on this forum has posted links to the first, second and third lots of data that were posted on the attacker(s) site on the dark web.
In the case of Optus, a first lot of data was advertised on 17 September, five days before the company said it had been attacked. Two days after Optus made the announcement, a second lot of data was put up for sale.
On 27 September, the attacker released a link to the data of 10,000 Optus users and threatened to release more. But later the same day, the attacker appeared to have developed cold feet, announcing that all the Optus in his/her possession had been deleted from the Web.
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Tasmania transforming outpatient services with online booking, eReferral system
These projects are part of its broader strategy to shorten wait times while building the capacity to cater to future health demands.
By Adam Ang
November 13, 2022 11:23 PM
The Tasmanian government has recently released a four-year strategy to transform outpatient services across its public health system.
Tasmania's Transforming Outpatient Services Strategy seeks to shorten wait times, improve communication, and modernise processes.
One focus of the strategy is ICT and virtual care capability under which a Digital Outpatient Management System and eReferral system will be delivered to "modernise and streamline service delivery processes."
"They will help resolve current business process inefficiencies, improve communications channels between consumers, referring practitioners, clinicians, and clinic staff, and enable the implementation of new models of outpatient care," the Tasmanian Department of Health said.
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Roundup: EpiSoft's online IFC, payments process goes live in St John of God Health Care and more briefs
Also, the ADHA begins its transition to a new health information gateway.
By Adam Ang
November 18, 2022 12:53 AM
St John of God Health Care adopts online IFC, payments process by EpiSoft
St John of God Health Care has implemented EpiSoft's online Informed Financial Consent and payments process for patients.
These features are the latest addition to its epi-me online patient admissions portal, also by EpiSoft. It has also been integrated with the hospital group's web-based PAS.
These additions provide "significant efficiency improvement" for hospitals. It allows staff to prepare a patient's estimate of fees from the webPAS, which is then automatically exported to epi-me where it is presented alongside a National Claim Form.
After capturing their online IFC, a patient can choose to securely pay any out-of-hospital pocket costs, including credit card pre-authorisation for any incidentals they might incur during their admission. The electronically signed documents and payment receipt are then returned to the webPAS to automatically update the patient’s account as paid.
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https://www.health.gov.au/resources/webinars/digital-transformation-tech-talk-6-december-2022
Digital Transformation Tech Talk – 6 December 2022
Join us for our last Tech Talk for 2022 to preview the Aged Care Transformation Program’s upcoming policy roadmap demo the new Star Ratings solution, and to hear an update from our partners in the Australia Digital Health Agency (ADHA).
Date published:
17 November 2022
Type: Webinar
Audience: Health sector
Webinar date : Tuesday, December 6 2022 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm AEDT
Webinar link: Register
Presenters
Fay Flevaras, First Assistant Secretary, Digital Transformation and Delivery Division, Department of Health.
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https://swsphn.com.au/news/digital-health-november-update/
Digital health resources and events update
17 November 2022
The Australian Digital Health Agency has provided a resources and events update.
Highlights in this edition include:
- Digital health – test your knowledge of electronic prescriptions
- New My Health Record in Community Health eLearning module
- New education sessions on:
- Community Health Digital Health Foundations Series
- Digital Health Foundations Series
- Emergency Access
- My Health Record for Health Workers – Series 1
- Pharmacy Technicians and Assistants – getting to know Electronic Prescriptions and the Active Script List
- Practice Managers – getting to know Electronic Prescriptions and the Active Script List
- What you need to know about Assisted Registration
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Monday, 14 November 2022 20:11
ACCC fines the three largest internet service providers for $33.5 million for misrepresenting internet speed connection
The Federal Court has ordered that the largest internet service providers—Telstra, Optus, and TPG Telecom—need to pay penalties amounting to $33.5 million after each companies admitted false and misleading representations when promoting certain NBN internet plans, according to the ACCC.
The ACCC has directed Telstra, Optus, and TPG Telecom to pay $15 million, $13.5 million, and $5 million respectively for breaching the Australian Consumer Law.
The three largest telecoms made misleading statements in relation to their 50Mbps or 100Mbps fibre to the node (FTTN) plans.
Telstra, Optus, and TPG Telecom promised to respond within a reasonable timeframe to consumers if the speeds they were paying for was not achieved. The telcos offered consumers options including a move to a cheaper plan with a refund if they were not enjoying their current internet speed.
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TPG moves to woo customers away from NBN
11:01PM November 16, 2022
Australia’s third-largest telecom provider, TPG, is launching a blitz for new 4G and 5G fixed wireless customers, offering half-price access across all of its brands for six months in a bid to entice users away from the NBN and on to its network.
The deal – timed to coincide with Black Friday online sales – means new customers can gain access to 5G fixed wireless for $30 a month, which is less than the wholesale cost to access the NBN for similar tier plans.
In TPG’s half-year results, the company announced it had signed up 113,00 customers nationally and is on track to reach its full-year target of 160,000.
As The Australian previously reported, the NBN is facing a slide in demand as retailers ramp up the sales pitch on cheaper, faster 5G offerings.
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https://www.itnews.com.au/news/nbn-trials-first-poi-on-wheels-network-disaster-recovery-unit-587798
NBN trials first PoI-on-Wheels network disaster recovery unit
By Kate Weber on Nov 15, 2022 12:00PM
Trialling in the Victorian town of Traralgon.
NBN Co is testing its first transportable point-of-interconnect (PoI), which can be deployed during emergency situations in the Victorian town of Traralgon.
The semitrailer has been since late October, to test its capacity to restore critical broadband connections during natural disasters.
NBN Co executive general manager, network management Darren Mills said “this is the first trial of this type we have done in Australia”, and forms part of its national emergency and disaster preparedness plans.
There are a total of 121 PoI’s serving 8.5 million customers, providing customer traffic concentration for retail service provider networks.
Mills said the trial is testing the equipment's performance, and whether it can operate at the rest of the NBN PoI sites.
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Enjoy!
David.
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