With technological advancement in the medical sector, electronic health records (eHRs) have become crucial for people to manage their health in the modern era. The Electronic Health Record Sharing System (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 (hereinafter referred to as the “Amendment Ordinance”) came into effect on 1 December 2025. The amendments empower the Government, when necessary, to require specified healthcare providers (HCPs) to deposit citizens’ important health data into eHealth, and streamline the consent mechanism. How does the “streamlined consent mechanism” work? How does it help citizens build a more comprehensive eHR? Check out the following lazy pack!
eHealth “Streamlined Consent Mechanism”
Helps You Build a Comprehensive Personal Electronic Health Record
What is the “Streamlined Consent Mechanism”?
Deposit and Access Are Handled Separately
After the Amendment Ordinance took effect, when citizens register with eHealth, the authorisation they give to HCPs for “deposit” and “access” of records becomes clearer and simpler:
- Joining Consent (Deposit): Once citizens register with eHealth (i.e., give “Joining Consent”), all participating public and private HCPs can deposit their eHRs into the citizens’ personal eHealth accounts.
- Sharing Consent (Access): You retain full control! If private HCPs wish to access your eHRs, they must obtain your “Sharing Consent”. Once you confirm giving Sharing Consent, you will receive a notification via your selected communication means (SMS/ email or postal mail). You can also give or revoke Sharing Consent at any time through the eHealth App.
Three Key Benefits of eHealth: Convenience, Autonomy, Continuity Breaking Down Barriers in Healthcare
The following three real-life scenarios will help you understand the benefits of joining eHealth:
1. Convenience: Medical records are never lost; follow-up consultations become easier
Scenario: Mr Chan underwent detailed blood tests at a private clinic. Previously, private clinics only provided paper reports, which were inconvenient to carry and easy to lose. When seeking treatment at another clinic, he had to explain everything to the doctor again or undergo repeated tests.
Benefits of joining eHealth: Private HCPs can deposit the blood test reports into Mr Chan’s personal eHealth account. In the future, once Mr Chan has given Sharing Consent, HCPs can view the report through eHealth, eliminating the hassle of carrying paper reports.
2. Autonomy: Privacy is protected; authorisation remains in your hands
Scenario: Miss Cheung is referred by her primary care doctor to a specialist for follow-up.
Benefits of joining eHealth: Miss Cheung has complete “control”. She can decide for herself whether to allow the specialist to access her past records in eHealth (such as previous laboratory reports). This avoids repeated tests, saves time, and ensures that only doctors authorised by her can view her health records.
3. Continuity: More precise medication; avoidance of allergic reactions
Scenario: Granny Lee has a history of drug allergies and visits a clinic she has never attended before due to an acute illness.
Benefits of joining eHealth: Since Granny Lee’s personal eHealth account contains complete and up-to-date medical information (including her medical history, drug allergies and test results), the doctor can, with her authorisation, access her drug allergy records. This prevents misuse of medication and greatly improves the accuracy and safety of diagnosis and treatment.
Information for Existing Users
Previous Joining and Sharing Consents Remain Valid
For citizens who have already registered with eHealth, the “Joining Consent” and “Sharing Consent” they gave before the commencement of Amendment Ordinance remain valid and unaffected. If you wish to enable the new “streamlined consent mechanism” so as to build a more comprehensive eHR, you can do so through the following channels:
- eHealth App
- HCPs providing medical services
- eHealth Registration Centres
“eHealth+ Connectivity Support Scheme” Helps Doctors Jointly Build Comprehensive eHRs
To encourage more private HCPs to connect with eHealth, the Government has introduced measures to assist them in adopting clinical management systems that are already connected to eHealth, making it easier to deposit citizens’ eHRs into their personal eHealth accounts:
“eHealth+ Connectivity Support Scheme”: Provides dedicated technical support and subsidies to private HCPs, encouraging them to adopt or upgrade to clinical management systems already connected to eHealth, and to deposit citizens’ eHRs into their personal eHealth accounts upon obtaining authorisation.
“eHealth+ Connectivity Accreditation Scheme”: Introduces an accreditation mark to help citizens easily identify and choose HCPs that are connected to eHealth and can deposit medical records for them, assisting citizens in building comprehensive personal eHRs.
Take Action Now! Take Control of Your Health – Start by Registering and Downloading the eHealth App
Health is our greatest wealth, and a comprehensive health record is the key to safeguarding that wealth. Register with eHealth and download the eHealth App now to experience the convenience it offers and build a lifelong, comprehensive eHR for yourself!
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to effortlessly manage the health of you and your family!
