Making A Freedom of Information (FOI) Request

In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Vic) (FOI Act) and the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic) you have the right to request access to your medical record and personal information held by Yea & District Memorial Hospital (YDMH). Your rights extend to obtaining copies of information, viewing information or requesting an amendment to information that is incomplete, incorrect, misleading or out of date.

You can also request access to the medical information of another person with their written consent.

Each request is considered in accordance with the FOI Act. As a result some requested documents may be exempted. If so, you will be advised as to the reason why under the Act. In considering the request YDMH will take reasonable steps to be satisfied that the applicant has the right to access the requested information.

Some information is not available. This includes:

  • Documents containing personal information about other people
  • Documents containing information provided in confidence to YDMH
  • Internal working papers
Freedom Of Information Request Form

Making a Request

An application must be made in accordance with the FOI Act. You must:

  1. Complete a written application
  2. We request you complete a Freedom of Information Request available from the health service, or download from our website
  3. Provide identification with your application
  4. A clear photocopy of identification that contains a photograph of you and your signature. Your passport or drivers licence are good examples
  5. Authority for release of information if you are requesting access to another person’s information.
  6. Pay a non-refundable application fee which at the 1st July 2019 is $29.60.

Cost

Apart from the application fee access charges are levied in accordance with the FOI Act, however in certain circumstances these may be waived. Current charges are:

  • Search time – $20.00 per hour (if a record is off campus)
  • Paper records – $0.20 per single side black and white photocopy
  • Postage – the cost of postage by Registered Mail

 

Payment is to be made by cash or cheque made payable to YDMH.

Submissions of Applications

By Post:

FOI Officer
Yea & District Memorial Hospital
45 Station Street
YEA VIC 3717

In Person:

YDMH Reception
45 Station Street

8.00am – 4.30pm / Mon – Fri

Receipt of Applications

Upon receipt of your request:

  • You will receive acknowledgement usually within fourteen (14) days.
  • You may be contacted for further information.
  • A formal decision letter will be provided within thirty (30) days from receipt of request, unless an extension has been permitted under the FOI Act.

Complaints

If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your FOI application, in the first instance please contact the YDMH FOI Officer by telephoning (03) 5736 0400 to discuss the decision.

 

Following discussion if you are still dissatisfied you can:

 

  • Apply to the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner (OVIC) within twenty-eight (28) days for a review.
  • Seek conciliation by the Health Complaints Commissioner within twenty-eight (28) days.

Victorian Information Commissioner

Phone
Call 1300 006 842 (1300 00 OVIC) between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Email
enquiries@ovic.vic.gov.au

Post 
PO Box 24274
Melbourne VIC 3001

Fax
(03) 8684 7588

Interpreter and translation service
Call OVIC through TIS National: 131 450

Yea and District Hospital is committed to enhancing the health status of the community it serves through the achievement of clinical excellence and the provision of high quality health services.  

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