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.

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.

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 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

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

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)

Click here for application form

Email: SESLHD-HealthInformationPOWH@health.nsw.gov.au
Phone: (02) 9382 3771
Fax: (02) 9382 3777

Garrawarra Centre – processed by The Sutherland Hospital (see below)

St. George Hospital and Community Health Services

Includes:

  • St George Hospital
  • St George Community Health
  • St George Community Mental Health
  • St George Drug and Alcohol Services

Click here for an application form

Email: SESLHD-STG-ClinicalInformation@health.nsw.gov.au
Phone: (02) 9113 2166 / (02) 9113 2167
Fax: (02) 9113 3923

The Sutherland Hospital and Community Health Services

Includes:

  • The Sutherland Hospital
  • Sutherland Community Health
  • Sutherland Community Mental Health
  • Caringbah Community Health
  • Caringbah Community Mental Health

Click here for an application form

Email: SESLHD-TSH-ClinicalInformation@health.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 02 9540 7156 / (02) 9540 7159
Fax: 02 9540 7113

Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital

Click here for an application form

Email: SESLHD-SSEH-ClinicalInformation@health.nsw.gov.au
Phone: (02) 9382 7339            
Fax: (02) 9382 7388

Sydney Sexual Health Centre

Email: sshc@health.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 02 9382 7440         
Fax: 02 9382 7475

The Kirketon Road Centre

Email: SESLHD-KRC@health.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 02 93602766            
Fax: 02 93605154

Adahps (AIDS Dementia & HIV Psychiatry Service)

Email: SESLHD-Adahps @health.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 02 9382 8600
Fax: 02 9382 8611      

HIV Outreach Team (HOT)

Email: SESLHD-HIVCommunityTeam@health.nsw.gov.au 
Phone: 02 9382 8666
Fax: 02 9382 8658      

Population and Community Health

Incorporating: 

  • SESLHD Child, Youth and Family Services
  • HARP
  • Population Health

Email: seslhd-chimu@health.nsw.gov.au

War Memorial Hospital

Click here for an application form

Email: SESLHD-HealthInformationWMH@health.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 02 9369 0242
Fax: 02 9369 0450

Calvary Hospital, Kogarah

Phone: 02 9553 3088
Email: CHC-Kogarah-MedicalRecords@health.nsw.gov.au

Gower Wilson Hospital (Lord Howe Island)

Phone: 02 6563 2000

The Langton Centre

Click here for an application form

Phone: 02 9332 8777
Email: SESLHD-LangtonCentre-MedicalRecords@health.nsw.gov.au