Access your WA Health medical records
Under the Freedom of Information Act 1992 (external site) you can access your WA Health medical records.
Who do I contact to get my medical records?
Hospitals and health service providers manage their own patient records. This means that to access your medical records, you will need to directly contact the hospital or health service provider where you were a patient.
Treated at a public health service provider or public hospital
You will need to contact each hospital or health service directly.
See the WA Health freedom of information contacts list for contact information.
Treated by a GP, private health service provider or private hospital
You will need to contact the private provider directly to access your medical records. You can find contact details for the service provider or hospital by using the National Health Services Directory service finder.
If you are unable to contact your private medical practitioner, you can contact the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) (external site) on 1300 419 495.
The health service has closed, who do I contact to get my medical records?
Below are the contact details for some of the more recently closed public hospitals and health service providers.
If the closed hospital or health service provider you are seeking records from is not listed, please visit the WA Health freedom of information contacts list. Please contact the Freedom of Information Office closest to the location of the closed hospital.
Treated by a GP, private health service provider or private hospital that has closed
If your private medical practitioner has closed or retired and you have been unable to contact them you can contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner for assistance on 1300 363 992.
Will I be charged a fee to get my medical records?
There are no fees charged to get your medical records held by a WA public health service.
Most GPs will charge a fee to cover the administrative costs of providing you with your medical records.
If you feel this fee is unreasonable or you have problems paying this fee, you can contact the Health and Disability Services Complaints Office (HaDSCO) (external site) on (08) 6551 7600. HaDSCO can also assist with resolving other complaints related to accessing your medical records.
Can changes be made to my medical records if information is incorrect?
Your personal information can be changed if it is incorrect, misleading or out-of-date.
You will need to explain why the information should be changed and give details of the changes.
For further information about having changes made to your medical records please visit the Amendment of personal information page (external site) on the Office of the Information Commissioner website.
Who can I contact if I'm having difficulty getting my medical records?
Medical records held by a WA public hospital or health service provider
If you have difficulty getting your medical records from a WA public hospital or health service provider, suspect that your medical records may have been viewed inappropriately or you receive your medical records in a format that is unsatisfactory to you, you can contact the:
Medical records held by a WA private hospital or private health service provider
If you have difficulty getting your medical records from a WA private hospital or health service provider, suspect that your medical records may have been viewed inappropriately or you receive your medical records in a format that is unsatisfactory to you, you can contact the:
If you have a complaint about the service received from a private medical practitioner, you can contact the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) (external site) on 1300 419 495.
Last reviewed: 04-08-2020
Acknowledgements
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This publication is provided for education and information purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your healthcare professional. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users should seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional for a diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.