Frequently
Asked Questions
When
did the project start?
The E-MediSafe project commenced in May 2000.
Who
is involved?
The project is consortium [link] of private companies supported by a service based advisory committee [link].
What
technology is used?
Messages between participants use
normal email systems with additional security software and smart card readers.
The infrastructure is compliant with the Commonwealth
Government's Gatekeeper standard.
Can
others join in?
The project has limited capacity to add additional participants. However, those that are interested need to be aware that the system needs to be installed for both senders and receivers of information. [link to About e-MediSafe page]
What
are the benefits of participating?
The e-MediSafe System enables participants to securely communicate electronically with other health service providers.
Over the next year or so, more and more government and private agencies and services will be using Gatekeeper compliant systems for communicating with service providers. Participants will be able to use the E-MediSafe infrastructure as the basis for these other services.
Who
is paying for all this?
The E-MediSafe project has been funded under Round 4 of the Information Technology Online Program (ITOL) run from the National Office for the Information Economy (NOIE), a portfolio agency of the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts.
In addition, consortium members are contributing time and resources to ensure the ITOL requirement of a 50% local contribution is met.
Consortium member Cable and Wireless Optus/IBA have made a significant cash contribution to the project.
Do
I need a full time connection to the internet?
Preferably because the internet is accessed to check the validity of the sender each time you open a message.
Can
I send secure messages to people without the E-MediSafe installation?
Recipients will need to have a digital certificate compatible with the E-MediSafe certificates.
E-MediSafe will have trust relationships.