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The Government today (March 7) launched the Electronic Health Record Sharing System (eHRSS) to enhance the continuity of care, promote public-private partnership and improve the quality of healthcare services. Through the system, the public can enjoy the convenience and benefits brought by the concept of record sharing.
Officiating at today's launch ceremony, the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, said that following the implementation of the system, healthcare professionals of public or participating private healthcare institutions can access more comprehensive health records of patients after obtaining their consent. This will help reduce the duplication of tests and prescription risks, thereby providing better and more timely treatment for patients.
"Apart from public healthcare institutions, the participation of the private sector and support of patients are equally important to the successful implementation of two-way sharing of electronic health records between public and private healthcare providers. We are delighted that all 11 local private hospitals attending today's launch ceremony have registered to join the sharing system," Dr Ko said.
The system is a territory-wide patient-oriented healthcare infrastructure. It is also an important platform for health record sharing between public and private healthcare providers. The Government hopes that more private healthcare providers and members of the public will join the system early. This is also beneficial to the Government's efforts to promote public-private partnership. With the use of the platform, the Government's public-private partnership programmes will operate more smoothly, bringing benefits to patients joining the partnership programmes.
To protect the personal data and privacy of patients who join the eHRSS, all participating healthcare providers are required to install secured communication modules to connect to the eHRSS. The eHRSS Ordinance, with specific legal provisions to protect the system, came into operation on December 2, 2015.
Members of the public can register with the eHRSS starting from March 13. Registration is voluntary and free of charge.
Other officiating guests included the Chairman of Hong Kong Private Hospitals Association, Dr Anthony Lee; the Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Health), Mr Richard Yuen; the Under Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan; the Commissioner for the Electronic Health Record, Mr Sidney Chan; the Director of Health, Dr Constance Chan; the Chief Executive of Hospital Authority, Dr Leung Pak-yin; the President of Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, Dr Donald Li; the President of Hong Kong Medical Association, Dr Louis Shih, and representatives of local private hospitals.
Ends/Monday, March 7, 2016
Issued at HKT 17:45
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