Freedom of Information Act: Obtaining Your Personal Information/Records

Thanks for sharing @RabbitHeart 🙂

Food for thought, @RabbitHeart 🙂

I have to admit that this brings up a heap of mixed feelings in my case. I can't help but wonder if perhaps there is something nefarious marked in my government record that might explain why my life has been so barren; although I have to admit that that theory can't explain why it was so barren before I even reached out for help in the first place.

Even if there is something bad in there, can it be changed?

Many years ago, my dad had to order a copy of his own birth certificate from the government; and discovered that they had his mother's name completely wrong. The beaurocratic rigmarol he would've had to go through to get it corrected was insane, so he just left the error be.

Hello @chibam

It definitely is food for thought and I entirely understand the mixed feelings that this concept can provoke. I’ve often had the same thoughts that you’ve mentioned regarding whether something unfavourable or judgemental has been in my government record or medical history.

At the end of the day, I feel that even if something nefarious was not stated in my record, whatever truths are contained within are enough for professionals or healthcare workers to judge me, sadly.

Regarding making changes to your personal information, yes, this is possible under the FOI Act, Access or Change Documents. You can change information about you if it is:

• Incomplete
• Out of date
• Incorrect
• Misleading

I have been through (and am still going through) this unsettled state of being, regarding obtaining some of my medical records.

I want to state that it can be a distressing process. Reading through medical history, especially when it relates to your mental illness, can be confronting and possibly re-traumatising.
Acquiring your medical records is not to be taken lightly and I personally recommend being linked in with professional support to assist you through this process mentally.
Personally, I’ve found some distressing information in past psychiatrist and intake notes that were documented by Headspace (youth mental health organisation).

Acquiring your information isn’t all bad though, and if it is important to you, I highly recommend researching the process and obtaining your records from wherever is important to you.
Anything related to my mental health/illness is a priority to me. It can be empowering to obtain your own information, and we should have the right to, as it is our own experience/body/mind. It can also be informative going forward with your health and journey to recovery or understanding.

If you reside in a state other than Victoria, as my information is mostly based off of Victorian FOI, I recommend starting your research with Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).
You can also research the Office of Information Commissioner for the state you live in and reach out to them for more information.

Otherwise, you can try emailing the place you would like to obtain FOI and ask them directly what their process is.

Thank you for responding to my post and I wish you all the best 💕

@RabbitHeart & @chibam - I wanted to understand what my psychiatric report said from a hospital so my doctor just read it out to me as he couldn't give me a copy for whatever reason.

Interesting @RoseGeranium .

Did he say why he couldn't give you a copy?

I asked for papers once, and they wouldn't give me a copy (maybe they couldn't be bothered making a copy??? Who knows?) So to make it easier, I took a photo of it on my phone and it proved very handy when I sought support from Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission regarding a matter.

@RoseGeranium @tyme Just speculating here, but perhaps that's a consequence of the fact that many institutions seem to be veering away from printing things in general? ("Save the trees..." and all that.)

I find it increasingly hard to get paper documentation for my dealings, not just limited to medical/mental health matters.

That being said, I think you should be able to get some sort of copy of your medical/mental health records. I know the last time my mom went in for some sort of scan or x-ray or whatever, the clinic burnt a copy of her scans onto CDROM for her to take home; so even if their not prepared to give you a paper record, you should at least be able to get a digital one, methinks.

Good point @chibam . I'm also thinking that IF it comes digital, you will surely be able to ask them to print it.... I've done that with blood tests. It's all digital, and I just ask for a copy. @RabbitHeart @RoseGeranium

Hi @illuminate! Sorry for the delayed response! Yes, it can be very triggering to read such personal information about yourself from a clinical lens. It can be very useful information to have however, and more power to you for having it!

Hi @RoseGeranium. Sorry for my delayed response.

I’m sorry to hear that was the case for you. I have also experienced this before. Sometimes it can be difficult to gain access to your own information due to the lack of knowledge or education on the health provider’s part. Some agencies will require you to fill out a formal FOI Form before releasing information.
I would encourage you to be persistent and when in doubt, site the evidence of the FOI Act and your right to your information.
It can be a daunting task, especially when the health provider has already been dismissive or is uninformed. If you don’t feel comfortable pressing with the health provider who dismissed you, I suggest attempting to contact the agency or a person of authority of the health provider in question.
If all else fails, try contacting a Directorate FOI Coordinator or Commissioner, a local Ombudsman, the local FOI Information Unit or filling out an FOI Complaint Form under the state in which you reside.

@tyme and @chibam made good points about information not always being given in physical format such as printed on paper, however, the agency should always be able to provide a form of a copy whether it is transferred to a CD as mentioned, or a USB. Be aware, many places can charge a fee for materials provided such as a USB or for the cost of printing. Financial hardship needs to always be considered however.

“There is no charge for access to a document that has your personal information.

Under the FOI Act, an agency or minister may charge for access to a document that has other information. However, they can’t use this charge to discourage you from making an FOI request.” - Victorian source

Best of luck and don’t give up if it is important to you 🍀