Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2018
573. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health if a hospital is permitted to have a mandatory requirement that persons must request their hospital file or record via a freedom of information request. [37790/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraGenerally, 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.
People who attend a private hospital may access their records under the Data Protection Acts.
