It has been reported that before the debate in the Senate next month, the federal opposition plans to tighten up facets of the contentious Healthcare Identifiers Bill.

Coalition spokesman for regional health services, Andrew Southcott stated, "In particular, the Bill as it stands continues to raise concerns about privacy and the possibility of function creep. It also leaves many crucial decisions to be made by the minister through regulation, rather than requiring legislation and parliamentary approval".

Whilst it was suggested by a Senate Community Affairs investigation that the Bill be adopted, in an unorthodox report Coalition Senators put forward numerous modifications planned to boost inspection of the health identifiers service and the service operator's operation.

The Bill and associated rules highlight the Government's plan to allocate a 16-digit distinctive identity number to every Australian, alongside all doctors, allied health providers and healthcare organizations from July
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But complaints have been made by privacy and health consumer groups regarding the hurried discussions, which have left noteworthy worries unsettled.

There has been no release of any details of the planned amendments.