At last Thursday’s Senate sitting, independent Senator Dr. Stephen King stressed the importance of open data and information to treating patients.

While discussing an amendment to the Data Protection Act, Dr. King illustrated the benefits to the health sector.

“The health business is an information business. It is all about knowing what somebody’s condition is, knowing their health provider, and knowing what action has been taken. It is important to have access to information necessary to protect public health.”

Although in support of accessibility to such information via electronic means, Dr. King noted that disclosure of personal information should be regulated.

“We are collecting all data electronically as we must, and we are making what is appropriate available to everyone. However, if anybody does have unauthorized access to your data, we will know and can therefore prosecute [that person]. In other words, we have to ensure the data regime which we put in place—which this act relates to, and the health records bill which is yet to come—creates an environment that will allow the data to empower the health sector, health providers, and the citizenry of the country.”

Dr. King also cited the invaluable role that access to health information would provide to government with regards to the annual budgetary preparations.