Make a Freedom of Information (FOI) Request

Access your Medical Records

In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Vic) (FOI Act) and the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic) you have the right to request access to your medical record and personal information held by Mansfield District Hospital. Your rights extend to obtaining copies of information, viewing information or requesting an amendment to information that is incomplete, incorrect, misleading or out of date.

You can also request access to the medical information of another person with their written consent.

Each request is considered in accordance with the FOI Act. As a result some requested documents may be exempted. If so, you will be advised as to the reason why under the Act. In considering the request MDH will take reasonable steps to be satisfied that the applicant has the right to access the requested information.

Some information is not available. This includes:

• Documents containing personal information about other people
• Documents containing information provided in confidence to Mansfield District Hospital
• Internal working papers

Making a Request

An application must be made in accordance with the FOI Act. You must:

1. Complete a written application
2. We request you complete a Freedom of Information Request available from the health service, or download from our website
3. Provide identification with your application
4. A clear photocopy of identification that contains a photograph of you and your signature. Your passport or drivers licence are good examples
5. Authority for release of information if you are requesting access to another person’s information.
6. Pay a non-refundable application fee which at the 1st July 2019 is $29.60.

Cost

Apart from the application fee access charges are levied in accordance with the FOI Act, however in certain circumstances these may be waived. Current charges are:

• Search time – $22.20 per hour
• Paper records – $0.20 per single side black and white photocopy
• Postage – the cost of postage by Registered Mail
• Payment is to be made by cash, credit card or cheque made payable to Mansfield District Hospital

Submissions of Applications

Receipt of Applications

Upon receipt of your request:

• You will receive acknowledgement usually within fourteen (14) days.
• You may be contacted for further information.
• A formal decision letter will be provided within thirty (30) days from receipt of request, unless an extension has been permitted under the FOI Act.

Complaints

If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your FOI application, in the first instance please contact the FOI Officer by telephoning (03) 5775 8818 to discuss the decision.

Following discussion if you are still dissatisfied you can:

• Apply to the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner (OVIC) within twenty-eight (28) days for a review.
• Seek conciliation by the Health Complaints Commissioner within twenty-eight (28) days.

Contact details FOI Officer Aged Care Complaints Commissioner

Telephone: (03) 5775 8818
Fax: (03) 5775 1352
Email: foi@mdh.org.au