General practice data sharing

Why do primary health networks ask general practices to share patient data?

General practices collect and store patient data in clinical information systems. If they wish, general practices can choose to share a de-identified version of this data with their local primary health network (PHN). The collection of data is governed by a data sharing agreement signed by the practice.

PHNs use general practice data to plan and implement population health interventions.

We regularly gather, sift and analyse data on prevalent and emerging health needs to inform our planning for additional or improved services and future workforce requirements.

The use of data and evidence informs strategic and real-time investment decisions and the evaluation of programs and services. It also provides the knowledge we use to generate health service innovations and system reform across our region.

Practice data shared with PHNs may include but is not limited to information on patient demographics, characteristics, types of diagnoses and MBS items billed. All data is deidentified and is aggregated at the practice (not practitioner) level.

There are three main outcomes of general practices opting in to data sharing with PHNs:

  1. Eligible practices can receive the Australian Government’s Practice Incentives Program Quality Improvement (PIP QI) Incentive payment by submitting the PIP Eligible Data Set to their local PHN. Practices may be eligible to receive up to $12,500 per quarter, depending on their size.
  2. PHNs can provide tailored quality improvement support to each individual practice, based on the needs of the practice and its patient population demonstrated by the data.
  3. PHNs use the de-identified data in population health planning, including regular health needs assessments submitted to the Australian Government, and for designing and commissioning services in response to the identified needs.

PHNs takes data and information security seriously. All PHN use of data is consistent with the RACGP’s guidance for the secondary use of general practice data. This means that:

  • PHNs comply with data management best practice. We must comply with all applicable laws in relation to the collection, storage, access, use or disclosure of practice data.
  • All practice data is de-identified so that it does not contain information that can be used to identify individuals.
  • PHNs have developed data governance frameworks and processes to ensure the safe, accurate and consistent use of data.

To help us improve the protection of data and information all PHNs are aiming to achieve ISO 27001 certification by June 2026. ISO 27001 is an Australian and international information security, cyber security, and privacy standard.

These data privacy protections underpin the data sharing agreement that each practice must sign before sharing data with their local PHN. These agreements are in place so that practices can better understand what data they share, what PHNs do with the data, and how it is protected.

The agreements differ slightly between PHNs, due to the differences in data extraction software and processes in each PHN. However, the principles of the agreements are consistent among Victorian PHNs:

  • Practices can choose whether or not to share data, and whether they share the PIP Eligible Data Set or their full data set.
  • Practices can submit data using the PHN’s preferred data capture software or by an alternate method.
  • All data is de-identified.
  • Practices do not incur a cost to share data with their PHN.

For more information on general practice data sharing or practices with questions about the type of data they are sharing with Murray PHN can contact gpsupport@murrayphn.org.au

Published: October 14th, 2024

Murray PHN acknowledges its catchment crosses over many unceded First Nations Countries, following the Dhelkunya Yaluk (Healing River).

We pay our respects and give thanks to the Ancestors, Elders and Young people for their nurturing, protection and caregiving of these sacred lands and waterways, acknowledging their continuing cultural, spiritual and educational practices.

We are grateful for the sharing of Country and the renewal that Country gives us. We acknowledge and express our sorrow that this sharing has come at a personal, spiritual and cultural cost to the wellbeing of First Nations peoples. We commit to addressing the injustices of colonisation across our catchment, and to listening to the wisdom of First Nations communities who hold the knowledge to enable healing. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.