Personal information and medical records

We keep personal information about your condition and treatment. This information is kept in medical records. These records may include:

• test results
• x-rays
• scans
• medical reports
• surgical or clinical notes.

Where your records are stored

• Your medical records may be kept in an online database, as a paper file or a combination of both.
• Your records are private and confidential.
• In some situations, your health information will need to be shared between healthcare providers.

Accessing your medical records through My Health Records

The easiest way to access your medical records is through My Health Record.

• My Health Record is an online summary of your important health information.
• You can access your health information securely online from any device connected to the internet.
• Your record helps health professionals easily access your health information like allergies, medicines you take, medical conditions and test results. This is important to getting the right treatment, especially in an accident or emergency.
• It's also an easy way to record and track your health information over time.
• If you don't have one, you can register for a My Health Record at any time.
• You can contact the My Health Record Helpline on 1800 723 471 or visit the My Health Record website.

Controlling your information

You can choose to share your health information with the people looking after you. You can also add your own information and choose your privacy and security settings. For example, you can:

• ask your doctor to add your health information
• ask that some information not be uploaded to your record
• add personal notes about your allergies and allergic reactions
• add an advance care plan about your wishes for treatment
• add notes about who should make health decisions for you if you are unable to
• set access controls to restrict who can and can’t see your health information
• review your own health information and see the information your healthcare providers can see
• set up SMS or email notifications so you know when someone accesses your record.

The government has set up technology to make sure your information is secure.

Information we upload to your My Health Record

Public hospitals in Tasmania can add some information about your health to your record.

• This may be details about your discharge from hospital, medication information, diagnostic and pathology reports, outpatient specialist letters and Pharmacy Shared Medicines List.
• Not all documents will be uploaded every time you receive treatment at a public hospital. Sometimes we use a paper-based process or system not connected to My Health Record.
• At present, Tasmania’s public hospitals do not upload information to My Health Record for people under 18. This will change soon. 
• You can find out which hospitals and health providers are using My Health Record on the My Health Record website.

How My Health Record maintains your privacy and security

• My Health Record protects your information with special technology and systems.
• The privacy of your information in the My Health Record system is protected by law.
• Significant penalties apply for the deliberate misuse of this information.
• For more information on privacy and access controls, you can call the My Health Record Helpline on 1800 723 471 or visit the My Health Record website.

Giving consent to upload your information to My Health Record Consent

• When you are treated in public hospital in Tasmania, records about your care may be uploaded to your My Health Record, if you have one.
• This is called ‘standing consent’. This means you have given your permission.
• You must tell the hospital if you do not want this information uploaded to your My Health Record. No further information will be uploaded unless you give consent again.
• You can give consent again at any time.
• To change your consent, you need to fill out a form.
• If you want any information removed from your My Health Record, you can do this online or by phoning the My Health Record Helpline on 1800 723 471.

Where you can get more information about My Health Record

• Download the My Health Record Patient fact sheet
• Download the My Health Record Family Safety brochure
• Download the ‘Are you 14 or over’ fact sheet
• Find information and download a booklet for parents and guardians on the My Health Record website
• Call the My Health Record Helpline on 1800 723 471

Visit the My Health Record website

Accessing your personal information

How your personal information can be used in Australia is regulated by the law. This means that your information must be used within the law. Personal information about you includes:

• information or opinion in any recorded format, including photographs and sound and video recordings, about an individual that readily identifies that individual
• sensitive information
• health information.

How to access personal information we hold about you?

We have prepared an application form to help you apply to access your personal information.

Download the application for access to personal information form

Download the consent to share personal information form

For more information about your rights and personal information, please visit our Healthcare Rights and Legislations page. You can also contact the hospital directly.

If you are unsure of which operational unit holds your personal information, you can send your form to us by post using the address details below or email [email protected]

Application for Personal Information
Strategy, Information Management and Governance Office
Department of Health
GPO Box 125
Hobart TAS 7001

When you will receive your personal information

• We will contact you promptly after receiving your application.
• We may need to ask you to provide further information to help them process your application.
• We will let you know if there are any charges for accessing your information. Information may be withheld until all charges have been paid.