Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Health Records Act 2001 - SECT 29

Providing access

29. Providing access



(1) An organisation must provide access to an individual's health information-

   (a)  in the case of a request to inspect the health information, or a
        print-out of the health information, by making the health information
        or print-out available to the individual immediately or at a date,
        time and place in Victoria specified in a written notice given to the
        individual;





   (b)  in the case of a request to receive a copy of the health information,
        by giving to the individual-

   (i)  a copy of the health information; or

   (ii) if the individual agrees, an accurate summary of the health
        information;

   (c)  in the case of a request to view the health information, by making the
        health information available to the individual;

   (d)  if a request to view the health information is accompanied by a
        request to have its content explained and the organisation is
        required, or has agreed, to provide that explanation, by explaining
        its content immediately or giving to the individual a written notice
        stating-

   (i)  if the organisation is a suitably qualified health service provider
        and is willing to do so, that the organisation will be available to
        explain the health information at a date, time and place in Victoria
        specified in the notice; or

   (ii) in any other case, the name and address of a suitable health service
        provider who will be available in Victoria by arrangement with the
        individual, to explain the health information.

(2) Despite anything to the contrary in this section, an organisation is not
required to provide access in accordance with this section to an individual's
health information of a kind referred to in section 25(3) but may agree to do
so and, in the absence of such an agreement, must give to the individual an
accurate summary of the health information.