Your Health Information
Release of Information

Release of Information

What is Release of Information?
Release of Information is a less time consuming and simpler method of allowing you access to your medical record than using the NSW the Freedom of Information Act 1989.

The NSW legislation governing release of information is called the Privacy & Personal Information Protection Act 1998. In July 2004 the Health Records Information Privacy Act 2002 will also operate to regulate health information including access to it.

What sort of information can I ask for?
You can ask for any kind of personal information pertaining to you, which is contained in your medical record and created by the health service agency you are making the request from.

This information may include outpatient and inpatient notes, pathology results and medical imaging reports, the health service agency correspondence, medication sheets and discharge summaries.

Is any information not available?
Documents referring to third parties, other agency documents or correspondence, or any material classified as "sensitive in nature" will not be made available.

What is sensitive information?
Where the agency is of the opinion that disclosure of information to you may have an adverse effect on your physical or mental health you will be notified and you may be asked for a treating medical officer to view the record with you.

How do I request information?
Complete a Release of Information Form, which is available from the Clinical Information Department at your hospital. You will be asked to supply your full name and any aliases, your address and date of birth, and details of the information you are requiring with dates if possible.

Do I need to verify my identity?
As a general guide medical history is considered to be particularly confidential in nature and thus great care is taken by a health service agency to ensure appropriate identification procedures are followed.

You will need to provide at least 2 forms of identification including photograph identification where possible. Acceptible identification includes: passport, driver's licence, Medicare card, birth certificate and health care card if you are seeking a discount.

How do I verify my identity if my application is sent by mail?
Please photocopy the 2 forms of identification you are relying on and have these witnessed by a Justice of the Peace as true copies of the originals.

How do I access my child's medical record?
If you are a parent requesting information about your child you will need to show that you are in fact the child's parent and an original birth certificate will need to be sighted or an authenticated copy of the birth certificate sent by mail.

If you are a separated parent you will need to show the child's birth certificate and also evidence that you are the child's parent. Each parent has authority to request information from your child's medical record, unless the Family Court has specifically removed that right from you.

If the child is over 14 years of age it is necessary to have authority from the child as well as yourself.

If the child is over the age of 16 years it is appropriate for the child to make the request for release of information from their record.

How much will it cost me to make a request for release of information?
There is a standard fee of $32 (which includes GST) for a maximum of 80 pages* and this is payable with your request application. You may pay in person at the cashier's office (where credit card and Eftpos facilities are available) or by money order, cheque or credit card details in a posted application.

The standard fee may be discounted to $16.50 (which includes GST) for a maximum of 80 pages* for people on low incomes, for some non-profit organisations, and/or where a public interest is demonstrated. A Health Care Card must be sighted.

Pages in excess of eighty incur a cost of 27 cents per page (which includes GST). There is no discount on this service.

* Pages in excess of 80 incur a cost of 27 cents per page (which includes GST). There is no discount on this service.

How will I receive the information I have requested?
The health service will photocopy the requested material and send it to you by mail, Express Post or you may collect the information in person from the Clinical Information Department of your hospital.

Who do I refer to if I have any more questions regarding completing the request form for Release of Information?
If you have any further queries regarding completing the request form, please contact the Clinical Information Department at your hospital and you will be referred to a Clinical Information Manager for assistance.

What do I do if I am not satisfied with the response to my request for information?
If you have any complaints regarding the service provided to you please contact the Clinical Information Department at your hospital. If further action is required, the process for an official complaint or review of the information request will be explained to you.