What are health records?
Your records may include:
- test results, x-rays and scans
- diagnosis and treatments
- reports and letters from doctors and specialists
- surgical, nursing and allied health notes.
We update your details each time you visit a health facility.
Your medical records may be kept in an electronic system, in a paper file or a mix of both.
Privacy and confidentiality
Your health records are private and confidential, but sometimes we may need to share them with your GP or another healthcare service to help with your treatment and care.
If we share your information, we do it under the privacy legislation and comply with our duty of confidentiality.
Our Privacy Plan [PDF 448.22 KB] explains what personal information we collect and how we handle it in accordance with the Information Privacy Act 2009 (Qld) (IP Act) and the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011 (Qld) (HHB Act).
If you have concerns about your privacy or the confidentiality of your personal information, or want to make a complaint about how your personal information has been handled, email cqhhs-privacy@health.qld.gov.au
How to access your health record
Your health record is the property of the hospital or health centre that has them. However, you can ask to look at them or get a copy.
There's no charge to access your health records.
If some of the information we have about you is wrong, you can ask us to fix it.
Apply for a copy of your record
You can apply for a copy of your health record by filling in the administrative access application form [PDF 85.16 KB].
To apply, you'll need to return the form as well as certified proof of your identity. We prefer a photo ID, such as a:
- Passport
- Driver’s licence.
A Justice of the Peace or Commissioner of Declaration must certify your proof of identity.
If you don't have a photo ID, contact our Release of Information Unit before submitting your application.
Phone: (07) 4920 6734
Email: cqhhs.roi@health.qld.gov.au
If you don't have any of these identity documents, talk to our Release of Information Unit. We may be able to accept another document.
If the applicant is a prisoner, they can use a copy of their identity card certified by a corrective services officer.
Send the completed form and proof of your identity by email cqhhs.roi.privacy@health.qld.gov.au or post to the:
Release of Information Unit
Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service
PO Box 871
Rockhampton Qld 4700.
You can also drop off your application at the front reception of any of our hospitals or multipurpose health services.
Sometimes we may not be able to release your health records. If this happens, we will contact you and explain why.
How to access someone else’s health record
To access someone else's health records, use the same steps as above. You'll need to have written permission from the person to access their records. It must be an original document and they'll need to sign and date it. You may need to provide more information.
If you don’t have or can’t get their consent, you'll need to make a right to information request.
We publish requests for non-personal documents, released under the Right to Information Act 2009, on our disclosure log.
Amending the information in your health record
If there is information in your health record that is wrong, missing, out of date or misleading, you can ask us to update it.
Before making a formal request, contact the Right to Information Decision Maker. They may be able to update the incorrect information without the need for a formal process.
If they can’t update the information, you’ll need to submit an application for amendment under the Information Privacy Act 2009.
GP use of your hospital records
GPs can register for online access to health records and patient information from Queensland Health systems.
Your GP may need to see your hospital records, scans, x-rays, and test results to support your care and treatment after you leave the hospital.
If you don’t want your GP to have access to your records, you can opt out online or by calling 13 43 25 84.
Read more about the information your GP can access on the Queensland Health website.