CEO of Australian Digital Health Agency pay almost the same as PM Turnbull

Tim Kelsey, former national director of the NHS Patients and Information, was appointed in charge of the $1-billion My Health Record digital system work. As CEO of the Australian Digital Health Agency, the former journalist’s total remuneration package is $522,240 annually.

It is just $26,120 short of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s annual pay of $548,360, the same level as the compensation of the Navy chief and higher than that of the chief scientist, the inspector general of taxation and the head of Fair Work Commission, reports News.com.au in an exclusive report.

Despite UK dumping Kelsey, the Department of Health says he is “uniquely suited to the role” due to his experience with data and digital platforms in health and personal privacy. In July, UK’s National Health System dumped Care.data, the scheme to store the medical information of UK patients in a single database.

However, the project suffered multiple delays and finally scrapped due to major problems over patient confidentiality. Brits were unaware they have to opt out to protect their privacy, plus people feared their information could be sold to insurance companies and pharmacies.

Because of privacy concerns, Health Minister Sussan Ley is currently trying an opt out system for the My Health Record. So far, more than 1 million residents of Penrith in Sydney’s West and North Queensland had their personal health information uploaded over their internet. It includes a summary of their health status inputted by their doctor, records of their medicines and allergies, and links to x-ray and medical test results.

On Aug 25, Kelsey presented the role of digital in the integration of health service to the Committee for Economic Development of Australia.

VIDEO: Digital opportunities in health services – Tim Kelsey