Here’s an update on a few of the issues AMA Victoria is working on for members, including:
CareSync Exchange review: member feedback sought
Energy retailers’ medical form for life support equipment.
CareSync Exchange review: member feedback sought
An independent review of CareSync Exchange, known to many members as health service information sharing, has begun. Required by the Health Legislation Amendment (Information Sharing) Act 2023, it will examine the protection and misuse of patient information, which services should participate, compliance costs and administrative burden, and whether CareSync is working as intended. It may also consider wider issues in digital health, cyber security, and privacy. The panel is expected to report to the Minister for Health by February 2027.
AMA Victoria strongly supported the legislation and lobbied MPs across the Parliament for its passage. We wanted treating doctors to have relevant information when patients move between public health services, reducing repeated investigations, delays in care, and reliance on patients to recount histories they may not be able to provide. We also recognised the need to protect sensitive records.
We continue to support that aim and welcome the review. CareSync is being rolled out progressively, with completion expected in late 2028. Members still ask when information sharing will reach their service, and the staged rollout limits what CareSync can do today. Many hospitals, particularly in regional and rural Victoria, have no electronic medical record and cannot access or contribute information through one. A browser login has been suggested as another way for their clinicians to view CareSync, but we do not know whether it is available in practice. The question of how those services can contribute information remains. The review should consider whether investment in their digital systems is sufficient for CareSync to deliver its intended benefits across Victoria.
We would welcome feedback on what information CareSync provides, whether it helps you care for patients, and any concerns about privacy, security, costs, or administrative work. Does it include the right services? If your service is still waiting, what rollout plans have been communicated? If it has no electronic medical record, can clinicians access CareSync through a browser or another route, and how can the service contribute information?
Please send your feedback to [email protected]. We will use it to inform our engagement with the review and update members as further information becomes available.
Energy retailers’ medical form for life support equipment
The Essential Services Commission has published its final decision on rules for energy retailers when customers use life support equipment at home. Under the new rules, medical confirmation will be valid for four years, and existing customers need take no action to remain on the register. The decision also introduces a flag to help emergency agencies identify customers with life-threatening conditions during prolonged power outages.
The standard medical confirmation form is still being developed with the Australian Energy Regulator. Following our earlier feedback on the broader changes, we sought GP members’ views on a draft of the form and responded to the ESC.
Members found the draft reasonably straightforward, but asked for clarity on whether doctors are confirming equipment already in use or certifying medical need. We also sought guidance on less obvious items, such as medically required heating and refrigeration.
Doctors may not know whether a patient’s equipment uses electricity, gas, or both. We suggested that patients or householders complete that section unless clinical verification is required. We also asked how backup power should be considered when assessing risk during a prolonged outage, and recommended placing the medical declaration and signature together. Doctors should be asked for information requiring clinical judgement.
We will update members when the standard form is finalised.