Patients/clients/consumers have a legal right to apply for access to their own health information held by a health service.  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 health records
• Copy of Discharge Referral
• Date/Time of Birth Confirmation
• Date of Attendance Confirmation
• Medical Certificate of Cause of Death

All facilities within Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) 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. 

NNSWLHD 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.

To obtain a copy of your medical record you must:

• Complete the NNSWLHD Health Information (Medical Records) application form
• Provide relevant supporting documentation; e.g. Photo ID as detailed on the application form; and
• Provide full payment
• Please return the completed form to NNSWLHD-LIS-MedicoLegal@health.nsw.gov.au or
• Post to: Clinical Information Service (Medical Records), Northern NSW Local Health District, Locked Mail Bag 11, LISMORE NSW 2480

Our staff will direct your request to the relevant hospital for action.

Note:
If you are a solicitor, NGO representative or similar looking to obtain client records please contact the relevant department directly on the numbers listed below.

Need more information about accessing your medical records?

To speak to someone about accessing medical records, please contact the Clinical Information Services (Medical Records) Medico-legal Department on these phone numbers:

• Ballina: 02 6620 6156
• Bonalbo: 02 6665 4100
• Byron Bay: 02 6639 9423
• Casino: 02 6660 0513
• Grafton: 02 6641 8446
• Kyogle: 02 66300 488
• Lismore: 02 6620 2261
• Maclean: 02 6640 0104
• Murwillumbah: 02 6672 0250
• Nimbin: 02 6688 1400
• Tweed Heads: 07 5506 7417
• Urbenville: 02 6634 1600