HSE manager reveals process for obtaining medical records from MUH
Anyone wishing to access their medical records held by Mayo University Hospital can do so by simply sending a request to the hospital.
The matter was raised at the recent meeting of the Regional Health Forum West and North West by Castlebar-based Independent councillor Michael Kilcoyne.
HSE Area Health Manager Mary Warde said a person seeking access to medical records which may be held by Mayo University Hospital should submit a request to the Freedom of Information Office, Mayo University Hospital, Westport Road, Castlebar, or by email to MUH.FOI@hse.ie.
The request should be made in writing, either by letter or email, and should include the full name, date of birth, address and contact details; a clear statement that access to medical records is being requested; sufficient detail to identify the records sought, such as dates of attendance, treatment received or services attended, name of consultant, clinician or department, if known; and provide proof of identity.
All requests received by the FOI Office are acknowledged within 10 working days, and a decision is then made as to whether the request can be granted. Under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2014, a final decision is normally issued within four weeks.
Ms Warde added: "It should also be noted that under the HSE National Guidelines on Point of Care Data Access, where a service user asks a health professional to see their own data within a care setting, this should be facilitated wherever possible at the point of care without the need for a formal Data Subject Access Request (SAR) or Freedom of Information request (FOI). This may apply where the request involves a low volume of data.”
- Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
