The Federal Government says the system will bring the management of health records into the 21st century and provide life saving information in emergencies.
The legislation passed the Senate this evening with the support of the Coalition despite the concerns about privacy from some Opposition senators.
The system aims to reduce the number of hospital admissions because of medication errors which equate to 190,000 a year as well as cutting down on medical errors because of inadequate patient information.
Australians' health records will be available online and protected by encrypted passwords.
The electronic health system will be rolled out over time beginning on July 1.
Liberal senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells raised concerns about the roll out of the system and sought a launch date from the government, particularly if a planned launch in Sydney on July 2 was still proceeding.
Labor senator Jan McLucas said she had no information about the date but said the system was undergoing a final round of vigorous testing.
"We know this is a complex area of national reform," she said.
"I think Australians ... will be far more interested in getting a quality personally controlled electronic health record rather than when there will be a launch."
People can register for the system by phone or by going into Medicare.
Australian Greens senator Richard Di Natale said people would be shocked how "technologically primitive our health system is."
The Personally Controlled Electronic Health Records Bill 2011 and the related Personally Controlled Electronic Health Records (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2011 passed the Senate with amendments.
The bills now go to the Governor-General for royal assent.
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Quelle/Source: Perth Now, 19.06.2012
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