Freedom of Information (FOI) Requests
The Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Vic) (FOI Act) provides a statutory right to the public to access documents held by Western Health, unless an exception or exemption applies. This includes access to medical records by or on behalf of patients.
How to make an FOI application to Western Health
A valid request under the FOI Act must include the following:
- an application in writing;
- payment of the application fee of $31.80 (GST exempt); and
- be sufficiently clear to identify the documents sought.
You can download a copy of FOI Application Form 2023
Western Health has a duty to assist applicants to make a compliant request and will consult with an applicant before refusing a non-compliant request.
The application fee may be waived or reduced on request by an applicant, for example, on the basis of financial hardship. The FOI Team may request evidence of hardship to be provided, such as a health care card or concession card.
Additional charges apply which relate to search and copy fees, which can also be waived or reduced in relevant circumstances.
A decision regarding access to documents held by Western Health under the FOI Act (Decision) is made no later than 30 days following receipt of a valid request.
Contact
Please contact the FOI Team with your FOI queries on email foi@wh.org.au or mail to:
Freedom of Information (FOI), Western Health, Locked Bag 2, Footscray, VIC 3012.
Alternatively, you may call the team on 03 8345 6352 between 11am and 12pm, Tuesdays to Thursdays. To prioritise request processing, we are not able to answer phone calls outside these limited times.
Other Health Services Based at Western Health Hospitals
Our website provides information about our sites and services.
From Saturday 1 July 2023 the service previously provided by Mid-West Area Mental Health Service (MWAMHS) and Aged Person’s Mental Health Program (APMHP) will be provided through the new Western Health Mental Health and Wellbeing Division.
From Monday 3 July 2023 Western Health services will provide the Emergency Mental Health (EMH) and Consultation Liaison (CL) Psychiatry services at Footscray Hospital.
Western Health also works in partnership with a number of organisations to provide mental health services. If an FOI request solely relates to a service provided by one of the mental health services listed, please contact the relevant service directly.
Service
| SERVICE | EMAIL ADDRESS |
| Mercy Mental Health Program (including Emergency Mental Health (EMH) and Consultation Liaison (CL) Psychiatry services at Footscray Hospital prior to 1 July 2023) | mmhfoi@mercy.com.au |
| Orygen Specialist Program (previously named Orygen Youth Health) | FOIrequest@mh.org.au |
Decision review rights
Applicants have a right to challenge a Decision of an FOI Officer and a right of complaint to the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner (OVIC) within 28 days of the day an applicant receives notification of the Decision. https://ovic.vic.gov.au/
Applicants also have a right to apply to the Health Services Commissioner for conciliation where the documents requested contain health information relating to the applicant. https://hcc.vic.gov.au/
