Information Requests

• Instructions for Submitting a Request for Access to Personal Health Records
  • Please read these instructions prior to completing your Request for Access to Personal Health Records form. The detailed instructions provide guidance ensuring submitted requests are complete with valid authorization and supporting documentation in order to facilitate a timely response.   
• Request for Access to Personal Health Records

Valid authorization is required before disclosing any personal information; it consists of written, informed consent provided by the patient, or authorized representative.

You will receive a response within 30 business days from the date in which we receive your written request.

Generally, no fees are applied when requesting a copy of your own personal health record, but you may be charged for special processing of your request (i.e., additional duplicate copies, courier fees, special delivery, or other special processing services).

Patient authorization is required if the minor is mature and involved in decisions about care or has provided consent for care.

Consent from the patient’s guardian is required if:

• The patient is under 19 years of age, incapable of exercising their information rights, not actively involved in decisions about health care and has not provided consent for care.
• A guardian is a person who has been appointed by court order, under a legal agreement, or a parent who has lived with or regularly cared for the child.
• Section 40 of the Family Law Act states that a child’s guardian may exercise all guardian responsibilities as long as they do so in consultation with the child’s other guardian(s), unless consultation would be unreasonable or inappropriate in the circumstances.

• If an adult patient is 19 years of age or older, incapable of exercising their information rights,  and is not capable of giving consent for care, any of the following, acting within the scope of their duties or powers, may provide authorization on behalf of an adult provided the request is made on behalf of the patient and in the best interest of the patient:
  • Committee appointed by court order (where records are required to carry out committee’s duties)
  • Person acting under a power of attorney (where records are required for financial or legal matters)
  • Litigation guardian (where records are required for litigation)
  • Representative under a representation agreement (where records are required to carry out representative’s duties)
• Each request is reviewed on a case-by-case basis; if none of the above has been appointed, the requestor must provide a detailed explanation regarding their relationship to the patient and intended use of the records.
• If the patient is deceased, copies of records may be provided if it is determined that the request is in the best interest of the deceased and whether the disclosure would be an unreasonable invasion of the deceased’s privacy. All requests for records of deceased patients are reviewed on a case-by-case basis; therefore, it is imperative that the requestor provide as much information as possible.

Contact the Health Record department at the facility in which you are requesting copies of records and make arrangements.  Documents not picked up within six months will be destroyed if no alternate arrangements are made.

If you believe there is incorrect information in your personal health record, you can contact the facility program where you received care. Using our Find a Location search, call the main phone number and ask for the Health Record department whereupon they will work with you to address your concerns.

If you're not satisfied with the response you have received or if you have questions or concerns, please contact the original health-care record's department where you made the request, or submit your concerns to the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia.

MyHealthPortal is an on-line tool that provides patients secure 24-hour access to their personal health information from a home computer or smartphone. Users of MyHealthPortal will have the ability to:

• Download and install the MyHealthPortal app
• View and update allergies and conditions
• Access lab reports, medical imaging (such as x-ray, CT and ultrasound) reports and visit history
• View certain transcribed reports from physicians, nurse practitioner and midwives 
• View certain appointment details and instructions
• Update address, phone number and contact information 

Learn more about MyHealth Portal

Use the Interior Health Request for Access to Corporate Records Web Form to make a request for corporate records. 

Requests for corporate records can be mailed or faxed to:

IH Freedom of Information Office
505 Doyle Avenue
Kelowna, BC V1Y OC5

Fax to the attention of: FOI Request at 1-844-469-7074 or email the FOI Office

Fees may be assessed for copies of corporate records where more than three hours are required to search for and compile the requested records or for special processing requests (i.e., courier fees, special delivery, or other special processing services).

The BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act allows up to 30 business days to provide the requested records.