Accessing Records
The Freedom of Information Act 1992 (external link) gives you the right to apply for access to documents held by East Metropolitan Health Service (EMHS).
Your right to apply is not affected by why you want to obtain access or our belief as to what your reasons are for applying.
In accordance with the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 1992, applications must:
- be in writing (facsimile requests are acceptable)
- give enough information to enable the requested documents to be identified (e.g. full patient name including previous names if applicable and date of birth, date of attendance and service unit)
- give an address in Australia where notices under this Act can be sent
- if possible, include a day-time telephone contact number
- give any other information or details required under the regulations
- be lodged at an office of the agency with any application fee payable under the regulations
- be accompanied by a consent form, if applicable, that is dated within 12 months of the request for information
- for personal applications, copies of two forms of proof of identification e.g. drivers’ licence, Medicare card (one with a current signature).
For corporate FOI enquiries:
East Metropolitan Health Service – Corporate
GPO Box X2213, Perth WA 6847
Telephone: 9224 3492
Email: EMHS.CECorrespondence@health.wa.gov.au
For FOI requests for medical records, you must contact the site where you received treatment.
For more information about FOI services at EMHS, including application forms, contact the FOI offices at the below sites:
Royal Perth Hospital
GPO Box X2213, Perth WA 6847
Telephone: (08) 9224 7023
Fax: (08) 9224 1399
Email: RPH.FOI@health.wa.gov.au
Armadale Hospital
PO Box 460, Armadale WA 6992
Telephone: (08) 9391 2060
Fax: (08) 9391 2149
Email: AKG.FOI@health.wa.gov.au
Bentley Hospital
PO Box 158, Bentley WA 6982
Telephone: (08) 9416 3827
Fax: (08) 9416 3875
Email: BHS_FOI@health.wa.gov.au
Kalamunda Hospital
PO Box 460, Armadale WA 6992
Telephone: (08) 9391 2060
Fax: (08) 9391 2149
Email: AKG.FOI@health.wa.gov.au
Swan Districts Hospital (closed in November 2015)
PO Box 460, Armadale WA 6992
Telephone: (08) 9391 2060
Fax: (08) 9391 2149
Email: SDH.FOI@health.wa.gov.au
Access to documents may be requested by way of:
- inspection of documents
- copies of documents
- copies of audio tapes or computer discs.
In addition to providing a valid application, additional consent and/or supporting documentation is required when requesting information on behalf of others, or about others.
- If you are requesting information on behalf of someone else, you will need to provide their written permission.
- If you are applying for information about someone who has died, you must provide your identification, and supporting documentation that clearly shows you are the closest relative to that person (e.g. birth certificate, marriage certificate or death certificate).
- If you are not the closest relative, you must provide written authorisation from the closest relative permitting you to access the information.
Some documents fall under exemptions and cannot be released, for example if they compromise someone else’s privacy or commercial or business affairs.
Access may be provided to an edited copy of the document if it contains information considered to be exempt.
There are no fees or charges if the application is for your own personal information.
Applications for other documents (which are non-personal in nature) will incur a $30.00 application fee to be paid when the application is lodged.
Additional charges for dealing with the request (e.g. photocopying costs, staff time) may apply as per the Freedom of Information Act 1992. You will be notified of these charges upon receipt of your application.
Upon receipt of a valid application the agency has a maximum of 45 calendar days to make a decision regarding access. The notice of decision will include details such as:
- the date when the decision was made
- the name and the title of the person who made the decision
- the reasons for claiming the document is exempt if access is refused
- information on the rights of review and the procedures to be followed to exercise those rights.
If you are inspecting original documentation, this will be arranged by appointment with the Freedom of Information Coordinator.
If you believe your personal information held by East Metropolitan Health Service is inaccurate, incomplete, out-of-date or misleading, you may apply to have that information amended.
Your request must be in writing, and must provide as much information and supporting information as possible to demonstrate how or why the records are considered to be inaccurate, incomplete, out-of-date or misleading. The onus to prove this lies with the applicant, not East Metropolitan Health Service.
If your request for amendment is refused you will be informed of the reasons for the decision and also the process to request an internal review.
The Freedom of Information Act 1992 does not apply to requests received from outside Australia.