Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2017
785. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if publicly funded hospitals must provide personal medical records by request under the Freedom of Information Act 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36931/17]
View answerGenerally, access to one's medical records should be provided routinely and administratively, having regard to privacy, confidentiality and the public interest. An application may be made in writing to the appropriate service or agency providing sufficient information (date of birth, current and previous addresses, date of contact with the specific services etc.) to help in locating records.
People may also access their medical records, from publicly funded hospitals, under the Freedom of Information Act, 2014. They may apply in writing to the public body that holds the records and for medical card holders, that public body is the Health Service Executive (HSE). Patients of the public system may also be entitled to their medical records under the Data Protection Acts 2003 and 2008 or by 'discovery' in the course of court proceedings.
People who visit their G.P. privately or attend a non-HSE funded or private hospital may access their records under the Data Protection Acts or by court order.
