Professional Responsibility State Practice Exam

Which act governs the disclosure of health information between health service providers?

1. The Privacy Act 2020

2. The Health Information Privacy Code 2020

3. The Health Act 1956

4. The New Zealand Public Health Act

The correct answer is: The Health Act 1956

The correct answer pertains to the specific framework established to regulate the management and sharing of health information among health service providers. The Health Information Privacy Code 2020 sets out the specific privacy principles for health information but is part of the broader Privacy Act framework. It effectively governs how health information is handled but does not operate independently. In contrast, the Privacy Act 2020 is a piece of legislation that covers personal information more generally, providing a broader context for privacy issues. The Health Act 1956, while significant in its historical context and pertaining to various aspects of public health, does not primarily govern the sharing or disclosure of health information between service providers. The New Zealand Public Health Act focuses on public health regulations and does not directly address the management of health information confidentiality. Therefore, the Health Information Privacy Code 2020 specifically regulates the use and disclosure of health information, making it the fundamental legislation that addresses this particular issue, hence it being the appropriate choice for governing health information exchanges among providers.