Accessing personal health information

Patients/clients/consumers have a legal right to apply for access to their health information a health service holds about them. They may also give consent to an authorised representative or a third party to access this information on their behalf.

Types of Requests:

Copy of health records
Copy of clinical imaging
Viewing of health records
Copy of Discharge Referral
Date/Time of Birth Confirmation
Date of Attendance Confirmation
Medical Certificate of Cause of Death

All facilities within South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) are governed by the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (HRIP Act). This Act outlines regulations around record control and access. The Privacy Manual for Health Information (2015) has been developed to guide public facilities in application of the HRIP Act.

SESLHD generally processes applications for personal health information under the HRIP Act rather than the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act). However, the GIPA Act may be used to request or process requests for information in special circumstances.

Applying for personal health information

All facilities in SESLHD have procedures in place for supporting patients/clients/consumers to access their health information. Requestors should be aware of the following:

Applications must be made in writing, preferably on the an Application To Access Personal Health Information Form which can be obtained from each facility
Appropriate identification of the patient/client/consumer (and applicant, if applicable) must be provided (For example: drivers licence, passport, etc)
Additional consent or documents may be required (see application form)
A fee, in accordance with NSW Policy Directive Health Records and Medical/Clinical Reports Charging Policy (PD2006_050) where applicable may be charged.
All applications will be processed in accordance with the relevant legislation
Each facility aims to process applications within 28 working days of receipt of an application, on the condition that required information/consent/identification documents and fees have been received. While we strive to complete your application as soon as practicable, sometimes unavoidable situations may cause delay. If a request is urgent, please contact the relevant facility to discuss expediting your request.

Where access is granted, it can be provided in the following manner:

A copy of the health record in electronic or paper form
Access by viewing a copy of the health record on the facility’s premises under the supervision of a health information manager or health care professional. Bookings are essential.

Access to part or all of your health information may be declined in special circumstances, such as where giving access would cause you or another person risk of harm.

Amending Personal Health Information

You or your authorised representative may ask us to make a change to your personal health information. The reason for this change might be to ensure the information is accurate, relevant, up to date, complete and not misleading, taking into account the purpose for which the information is collected and used.

You can request these changes in writing to the Medical Records Department of the relevant Hospital or health service. You must provide identification and evidence to support your request.

We will let you know what the outcome is. A change may involve correcting an error or adding a note to your health record.

My Health Record

My Health Record is an online summary of health information which allows patients/clients/consumers to share health information with healthcare providers as part of their care. Although it is able to be accessed by staff involved in the patients/clients/consumers treatment, it does not always form part of the individual hospital record.

For more information on My Health Record at SESLHD click here or contact your relevant Health Information Department

Privacy

More information regarding our privacy obligations and how we protect health information can be found in the Privacy Statement.

Facility contacts

Prince of Wales Hospital and Community Health Services

Includes:

Prince of Wales Hospital
Royal Hospital for Women
Prince of Wales Community Health
Royal Hospital for Women Community Health
Eastern Suburbs Community Mental Health:
- Bondi Junction Community Mental Health
- Maroubra Community Mental Health
Prince Henry Hospital (Closed)
Crown Street Women’s Hospital (Closed)
South Sydney Women’s Hospital (Closed))
Queen Victoria Hospital for Women and Babies (Closed)
St. Margaret’s Public Hospital (Closed)