Freedom of Information

The Freedom of Information Act (FoI) 1982 gives you the right to access your information held in Melbourne Health records. Melbourne Health includes The Royal Melbourne Hospital, North West Dialysis Service and NorthWestern Mental Health Service. FoI also allows you to amend incorrect information in your records and to request an explanation or a summary of the information.

Information held by Melbourne Health
Your medical record at Melbourne Health includes health information collected during your inpatient and outpatient attendances. The information is used to assist in your ongoing care and treatment. Such information includes details of current and past illnesses or injuries, operations performed, pathology results and medications taken and prescribed.

 Inpatient records are kept for a minimum of 15 years, or longer if the patient was a child when receiving treatment.

 Outpatient records are kept for a minimum of 7 years from the patient's last date of attendance.

 X-rays are kept for a minimum of 5 years after creation.

 Records of deceased patients are kept for 10 years from the date of death. At the end of their retention period, records are shredded.

Obtaining copies of records
Applications must be in writing to the FOI Officer, either on an Application Form available from the FOI Officer or by letter. Your request to either view the record or obtain a copy must be clear. Applications must be accompanied by the $22 prescribed fee.

 Records will only be provided to another person if written authority from the patient is given, or if you can provide evidence you have been named as Power of Attorney by that person for all their affairs; have been appointed Legal Guardian; or are the direct Next of Kin in the case of a deceased person.

 Records may also be made available in accordance with due legal process, eg. as evidence in a legal action before a court.

Costs
The totat cost varies according to the type of request. An application for Financial Hardship may be made and must be supported by evidence, such as a HealthCare Card or Pension Card. If accepted, you may be excused from paying some or all of the following charges:

Application Fee:  Search Fee (if applicable):   Retrieval off-site records:  Photocopying:  Postage Fee:   Viewing Fee:  Summary Fee:   X-rays:   - Large     - Medium   - Small  Photographs

$22.00 $20.00 $10.00 $  0.20c per page $  6.50 $25.00 per hour $25.00 per 15 min   $10.00 $  7.50 $  6.00 $11.50

Freedom of Information applications

Postal Applications                                   
Freedom of Information
Health Information Services
Post Office
ROYAL MELBOURNE HOSPITAL 3050

Hand Delivery
Health Information Services
The Royal Melbourne Hospital - City Campus
Grattan Street
PARKVILLE 3050

Melbourne Health has 45 days from receipt of your application to inform you of the outcome of your request. At this time you may also receive an invoice for any applicable charges. These charges must be paid in full before receipt of your information.