Accessing Healthcare Records

This information will tell you how to get a copy of your own records from the hospital.

If you want to get a copy of your own records you can send your request in writing or complete the Routine Access Request Form.doc (click to download Word version)

Your request needs to contain the following:

• Your name at the time you were a patient, if it differs from your present name
• Your date of birth
• Your address at the time of treatment
• Details of the information you are looking for (for example, requesting a copy of your maternity record relating to the birth of your baby on January 5th 2002)
• Your present home address and telephone contact details
• A photocopy of photo ID – either your passport or your driving licence.  Please note that your ID must match the name on the records you are seeking, otherwise we may require you to provide us with further details
• If you are currently pregnant please include this information
• Any additional information which you feel is important to your request

You can send your request to us by post to:

Routine Access Section,
Quality and Patient Safety Department,
The Rotunda Hospital,
Parnell Square,
Dublin 1.

By e-mail to: foi@rotunda.ie

Important

If you will be leaving the country before your records are expected to be ready, you must ensure that we have up to date contact details for you, including a phone number so that we can contact you as we process your request.  You may either consent to us sending your records to a postal address in Ireland if you are happy for someone else to receive your records or we can send them to you abroad.

 Allowing somebody else to access your records:

• There may be times when you want somebody else to access your records, for example, your GP, consultant or a family member.
• We will only give your records to someone else when we have your consent to do so.
• Requests should be made as stated above, but we must also receive a letter signed by you, stating that you give your consent to the release of the records.
• We will also need a copy of your passport or driving licence.
• We may contact you about the request to release your records.

How long will the request take?

We will try to have your records ready for you in 30 days.  However, sometimes it can take longer.  We will send you an acknowledgement letter when we start to process your request, which will give you an indication of the timeframe.  Please give us as much notice as possible.

How will I get the records?

Your records will be released to you by encrypted email or regular post.