All requests for patient information can be emailed to lrhfreedomofinformation@lrh.com.au

Legal requests

The Freedom of Information team at Latrobe Regional Health is responsible for dealing with requests from patients seeking access to their own medical records, however the team is also responsible for dealing with all legal requests that may come from:

• Coroners
• Police
• Warrants
• Subpoenas/summons
• Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH – Child Protection)
• Lawyers
• Workcover (Worksafe)
• Transport Accident Commission (TAC).

Also:

• Requests for reports/statements including doctors’ reports
• Request relating to CCTV footage.
• CareSync Exchange.

Enquiries relating to the above can be emailed to lrhfreedomofinformation@lrh.com.au or phone 5173 8844.

Access to clinical reports

If you are a patient, consumer of our services or another health service such as a hospital or GP clinic, and would like to request a discharge summary, pathology report or operation report, email the Health Information clerical team at medicalrecords@lrh.com.au or phone 5173 8614.

How to make a request

The Victorian Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 1982 gives you the right to access documents about your personal affairs, including medical records and the activities of government agencies.

Requests for access to your Latrobe Regional Health record can be made in writing to:
The Freedom of Information Officer
Latrobe Regional Health
PO Box 424
Traralgon Vic 3844

or email lrhfreedomofinfomation@lrh.com.au

FOI applications must:

• Be in writing – not verbal
• Clearly describe the documents you are requesting access to
• Include the application fee or evidence that you qualify to have the application fee waived
• Be made to the agency that holds the documents you are seeking

You can make a request yourself or you can authorise another person (for example, a solicitor) to make a request on your behalf.

If you want someone to make a request on your behalf for your personal information, you must give them your written authorisation.

If requesting information relating to a deceased person, the consent of the person’s most senior next of kin who is of or above the age of 18 years is required. Proof of this relationship is required.

CLICK HERE FOR AN APPLICATION FORM

There are two costs associated with making an FOI request – an application fee and access charges. These charges are set by government regulations.

There is a standard non-refundable application fee of $33.60. Payment can be made by electronic fund transfer (EFT) by calling 5173 8602.

An access charge is applied under the Act for processing your request. Access charges are applied according to the nature of the request and could include search fees ($22.50 per hour), photocopying (20 cents per page), providing written transcripts of a recorded document ($20 per hour).

The application fee can be waived if payment is likely to cause you hardship. If you wish to make a claim to have the fee waived you must provide evidence that you receive social security benefits eg: a current social security benefits or health benefits card.

The Freedom of Information Act 1982 stipulates all FOI requests shall be completed within 30 days of the Health Information Unit receiving a valid request form and payment.

LRH provides an equitable service to all applicants, regardless of their financial resources. All FOI requests are treated in strictest confidence, as per the LRH Confidentiality Policy.

Requests requiring interpretation of, or opinion on medical records or reports will be referred to the Chief Medical Officer for separate consideration.

If your request is declined, LRH is obliged to notify you within 30 days of the date your request was received. If you are not satisfied with this decision you are entitled to contact the LRH Consumer Liaison Coordinator on (03) 5173 8530 to discuss your concerns.

Mail the completed amendment request to:
The Freedom of Information Officer
Latrobe Regional Health
PO Box 424
Traralgon Vic 3844

Latrobe Regional Health shall notify the applicant of the decision within 30 days on which a valid request is received.

More information
LRH Health Information Unit (03) 5173 8844

Freedom of Information Act
Victorian Government Freedom of Information website
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal
Victorian Ombudsman