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WHAT INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE? Patients wishing to obtain information from their medical record are able to do so, subject to certain exemptions (Section 13), under the Freedom of Information Act 1982. It is possible to obtain photocopies or view the original documents via this process. HOW DO I APPLY? All applications must be in writing and contain sufficient information to enable the hospital to retrieve the correct medical record. The FOI Application Form is available to download or you may wish to write a letter of application, which must include the following: Patient's full name Date of birth Address at the time of the hospital attendance Applicant's name Applicant's address and telephone number If you are applying for a medical record other than your own, the patient concerned must sign a written authorization for the release of information from their medical record. If the patient is deceased, the next of kin (as recorded in the medical record) must sign the authorization. The original authorisation must be sent with the application. (The last section of the FOI Application Form is for this purpose). HOW MUCH WILL IT COST? Under the FOI Act, certain charges apply when requesting access to your medical record.
The application fee must accompany your written request and once your request has been approved, you will be notified of the remaining charges. These charges must be paid prior to the documents being released to you. If you require the documents to be posted to you, an additional fee to cover the cost of registered mail will apply. You will be notified of the exact amount of this charge. In accordance with the FOI Act 1982 we have 45 days to process FOI applications, beginning upon receipt of the application fee.
Patient information from 1856 until 1940 is recorded in patient registers. Registers for Castlemaine Hospital and Castlemaine Benevolent Asylum prior to 1922, have been indexed and stored on CD held by the Castlemaine Historical Society. Information can be applied for through the Society as follows: PO BOX 655Castlemaine.3450 Phone (03) 5470 6072 (Tuesdays only) Archivist: (03)5472 1425; Research Officer (03)5474 3011. URL: www.castlemainehistoricalsociety.com Patient information after 1922 is held at Castlemaine Health. Registers with patient admissions for Castlemaine Hospital and the Castlemaine Benevolent Asylum/Home can include all or some of the following information: Name, age, address, admission and discharge dates, condition treated and Doctor. A minimum search fee of $25.00 is payable on application. Extended or detailed research projects may incur additional costs which will be advised to you prior to commencement. Research details (if not already enclosed) and a cheque made payable to Castlemaine Health for $25.00, should be addressed to the hospital as follows: Health Information Manager  Castlemaine Benevolent Asylum Two years following the discovery of gold at Mount Alexander, the first Castlemaine Hospital was opened in Gingell Street on May 24, 1853. The Hospital provided essential medical and nursing care and, in 1939, was relocated to new buildings in Halford Street where it remained in service until December 22, 1995.
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