The Government proposes amendments to the Act on the Electronic Processing of Client Data in Healthcare and Social Welfare

Amendments are proposed to the Act on the Electronic Processing of Client Data in Healthcare and Social Welfare.

The proposed amendments concern the deadlines for joining Kanta Services, the right of social welfare professionals to access information about patients’ Kela benefits and the right of healthcare to disclose patient information to the service provider agreed with the patient. 

In accordance with the Government Programme, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has examined the need for amendments to the transition periods specified in the Act on the Electronic Processing of Client Data in Healthcare and Social Welfare. Amendments are required especially to the dates by which social welfare service enablers must join Kanta Services. The deadlines need to be postponed because the wellbeing services counties are currently in the process of acquiring new information systems. The amendment to the transition period will ensure that no major investments need to be made in information systems that will be phased out, and instead, new information systems can be linked to Kanta Services. The Government also proposes amendments to other transition periods related to Kanta Services.

In addition, the Government proposes that social welfare professionals working in healthcare be granted the right to obtain information about patients’ Kela benefits. This would ensure that the patient can be provided with all the necessary counselling and assistance concerning benefits related to their state of health. 
 
As part of the amendments, the Government also proposes that patient information could be disclosed to a healthcare service enabler agreed with the patient, provided that the patient information is considered necessary for the organisation and delivery of health services. The patient information could be disclosed directly under the law without separate consent or disclosure permission.

In addition, a few other amendments and technical revisions are proposed to the Act on the Electronic Processing of Client Data in Healthcare and Social Welfare, section 2 of the Act on the National Institute for Health and Welfare, and sections 27 and 41 of the Child Welfare Act. These include specifications to the definition of service enabler and the implementation of the right of access to information with the aid of an information system.

The acts are to enter into force as soon as possible.

Inquiries

Anna Sandberg, Senior Specialist, [email protected], tel. +358 295 163 702
Joni Komulainen, Senior Ministerial Adviser, [email protected], tel. +358 295 163 453