Election Promises on Health Data Access Highlight Fragmentation Issues

The Liberal Party and the New Democrats have each made commitments to pass legislation that would facilitate the access and sharing of medical records among patients and healthcare professionals. Meanwhile, the Bloc Québécois contends that Quebec has its own regulations regarding health data and that the province may not be affected by any new federal laws. The Conservative Party has not publicly disclosed its stance on this matter.

A recent report from The Globe and Mail’s Secret Canada series shed light on the disjointed nature of Canada's medical records system, indicating that such inefficiencies not only waste healthcare resources but may also increase the likelihood of medical errors. Patients often encounter challenges when trying to obtain their own medical records, which are typically scattered across various healthcare facilities like doctor’s offices and hospitals. The challenges of sharing these records can lead to unnecessary duplication of tests and wasted time for physicians who lack access to existing information.

In an earlier attempt, Justin Trudeau's government introduced Bill C-72, which aimed to establish national standards for electronic health record systems to ensure interoperability. Unfortunately, this bill lapsed when Parliament was prorogued earlier in the year. The Canadian Medical Association has since called upon the federal parties to reintroduce this bill and collaborate with provincial governments to create standardized health data systems to enhance access and improve the quality of care nationwide.

According to the Liberal Party's platform, under the leadership of Mark Carney, there is a commitment to ensure that both patients and doctors can access medical records swiftly. The platform emphasizes that improved data sharing would lead to better patient care and outcomes. It also includes a proposal for a new initiative to assist doctors in leveraging digital tools, including e-referrals, and proposes to simplify administrative paperwork.

While the NDP does not specifically address health data on its platform, a spokesperson has expressed support for Bill C-72, stating that such measures would enhance access to primary care. Peter Julian emphasized the importance of being able to access a patient's medical history for providing effective healthcare. The Conservative Party has not commented on this topic, and no discussions have emerged regarding Bill C-72 from its members under leader Pierre Poilievre.

A spokesperson for the Bloc Québécois, Joanie Riopel, has pointed out that Quebec's pre-existing regulations concerning health data would likely exempt the province from the impacts of Bill C-72. Moreover, the provincial government is in the process of transitioning hospitals to a unified electronic records system developed by the U.S. software company Epic, which echoes similar initiatives undertaken by hospitals in regions like Ottawa and Alberta. The federal election is set to take place on April 28.