What are health records?
Your health records may be in an electronic system, in a paper file or a mix of both and may include:
- test results, x-rays and scans
- medical conditions and treatments
- reports and letters from doctors and specialists
- medical, nursing and allied health notes.
We update your details each time you visit a hospital or health facility.
Your records are private and confidential.
How to access your health records
Your health records belong to the hospital or health centre that has them, but you can look at them or apply for a copy.
Apply for a copy of your records
It's free to access your health record or change your personal information.
You can apply for a copy of your health records by:
- filling in the online form on the Queensland Government’s Smart Service website
- downloading and filling in the Right to Information and Information Privacy Access Application [PDF 172 KB] to apply by email, fax or in person.
Send the form and proof of your identity to our medical records team, or see them in person on the ground floor at Mount Isa Hospital.
Proof of identity
You'll need to include a certified copy of one of the following documents:
- passport
- driver’s licence
- adult proof of age card
- birth certificate or extract from a register of births.
If you don't have any of these identity documents, talk to our medical records team. We may be able to accept a certified copy of another document.
Medical records team
- Phone: 07 4744 7191
- Email: nwhhs.roi@health.qld.gov.au
- Post:
ROI Officer, Medical Records Department
Mount Isa Hospital
PO Box 27
Mount Isa Qld 4825
We'll try to process your request within 25 working days. If we can't release your records, we'll tell you why.
If some of the information we have about you is wrong, you can ask us to fix it. Use the personal information amendment application form on the Right to Information website.
You can also ask the hospital that treated you for a copy of the form.
Email it to the hospital that treated you.
How to access someone else’s health records
Use the steps above to access someone else's health records. You’ll also need to include a certified copy of their proof of identity and their written permission. It must be an original document and they'll need to sign and date it. You may need to give us more information.
If you can’t get their consent, you'll need to make a Right to Information request.
Sharing your records with your GP
After you've been in hospital, your GP may want to see your hospital records, scans, test results and other records. They use these for your ongoing care and treatment.
GPs can register to have online access to medical records and patient information from Queensland Health systems.
These may include:
- pathology and radiology results
- medicines
- allergies and alerts
- care plans and discharge summaries.
If you don’t want your GP to access your information, you can opt out online or call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84).
Australian Government My Health Record
My Health Record is a safe and secure place to keep your health information. You and your healthcare providers can access it at any time, including in an emergency.
You may be able to see your discharge summary, pathology reports and x-ray reports online if you've:
- had a recent hospital stay
- set up your My Health Record.
Sign in to your myGov account to manage your My Health Record.
You can learn more about My Health Record on the Australian Digital Health Agency website.