Bill 19 aims to modernize and decentralize
the health network, by giving itself the means to access health information from the various organizations in the sector.
The current laws date back to the 1980s and 1990s, a time when data was kept on paper, said Dubé.
It’s a colossal job
but necessary, explained the minister, whose bill will have an impact on no less than 27 laws.
In addition, the health network is the largest work organization in Quebec, he recalled, with more than 330,000 employees in more than 1,600 hospitals and residential and long-term care centers (CHSLD).
« The pandemic has highlighted the shortcomings of our health network. As we have seen, the data problem was one of the challenges. »
We can’t relive this
Minister Dubé cited the Ombudsperson’s report, filed last Tuesday, which highlights the lack of risk analysis in CHSLDs when the crisis hit Quebec.
information","text":"La protectrice du citoyen a été très claire en disant qu’on avait un déficit d’information"}}">The Québec Ombudsperson was very clear in saying that we had an information deficit
, acknowledged the minister.
« During the pandemic, the lack of real-time information was critical. We can’t relive that, we really have some catching up to do in collecting information. »
Christian Dubé wants to obtain circulation smooth and timely
information in the health network.
To do this, the bill aims to change the patient experience in the health care network. Their interest must be at the heart of the process, according to Mr. Dubé.
If the project is adopted, there will be a centralized follow-up of all consultations with doctors. The patient will also be able to have access to his file, to have access to […] its history
.
« The data must follow the patient, rather than the other way around. »
Protection of personal information
The law must nevertheless ensure that access to health information is in a form that does not directly identify the data subject when possible
, can we read in the deposited text.
Data access will be marked out by a set of governance rules, said the Ministry of Health and Social Services in a press release. Sanctions will be put in place in the event of unauthorized access.
Finally, Minister Dubé urged Quebeckers to be patient, because the results could take time to be noticeable. We are laying the groundwork for a great change.
Towards a 3rd dose for everyone in Quebec?
Asked about the recommendation of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization to offer a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine to all adults, Minister Dubé said he hoped to make an announcement early next week. We all can’t wait to get started
, he added.
The booster dose is currently available in the province to people over the age of 70, or to those who have had two doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.
For their part, Ontario and Alberta have already announced an expanded vaccine booster campaign.
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