Singapore legislation

Clause 3

Meaning of “health information”, “administrative information”, “clinical information”, “accessible health information”, “individually‑identifiable health information” and “anonymised health information”

(1)

For the purposes of this Act, “health information” about an individual means administrative information and clinical information about the individual but does not include any administrative information or clinical information that may be prescribed.

(2)

For the purposes of this Act, “administrative information” about an individual means —

(a)

information relating to the individual’s use of any healthcare service or community health service;

(b)

information relating to the provision of any healthcare service or community health service to the individual;

(c)

information relating to the individual’s eligibility for financial assistance under any public scheme in respect of the cost or expense of any healthcare service or community health service provided to the individual; or

(d)

any other information that may be prescribed,but does not include any clinical information.IllustrationThe name, identification number, address and telephone number of an individual who uses a healthcare service or community health service are examples of administrative information about that individual.

(3)

For the purposes of this Act, “clinical information” about an individual means information relating to either or both of the following:

(a)

the physical or mental health of the individual;

(b)

the diagnosis, treatment or care of the individual.

(4)

For the purposes of this Act, “accessible health information” about any individual means health information about the individual that is made available on the national electronic records system by a System Operator in accordance with this Act.

(5)

To avoid doubt, accessible health information about an individual (P) does not include the following:

(a)

administrative information about P that is part of any record made or maintained by a person (X) in respect of P —

(i)

that is identical or substantially similar to administrative information about P made available on the national electronic records system; and

(ii)

regardless of whether X collected that administrative information from the national electronic records system or obtained that administrative information by any other means;

(b)

clinical information about P that is part of the medical records made or maintained by X in respect of P —

(i)

that is identical or substantially similar to clinical information about P made available on the national electronic records system; and

(ii)

regardless of whether X collected that clinical information from the national electronic records system or obtained that clinical information by any other means.

(6)

Health information about an individual is “individually‑identifiable health information” for the purposes of this Act if the individual can be identified by a person —

(a)

from that health information alone; or

(b)

from that health information and other information to which that person has or is likely to have access.

(7)

Health information about an individual is “anonymised health information” for the purposes of this Act if it is not individually‑identifiable health information.

Read in full context — Health Information Bill →