Right to Information (GIPA)

Request access to information under the GIPA Act

Under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act), you can apply for access to government information.

The information on this page shows the types of information you can access from NSW Ambulance. It also shows any requirements you need to follow.

To access other medical or health records, such as your NSW hospital records, you need to contact the local health district where you were treated.

There may be a fee to make a GIPA application and obtain documents.  Payment details are at the bottom of the page.

Medical records

Medical records have information about a:

• patient
• location of incident
• medical incident
• medical treatment provided.

You can access your own medical records from NSW Ambulance.

If you are seeking access to medical records that are not yours you must have approval from the patient to request their medical record. If the person has died, you need approval from their next of kin or authorised representative.

You can only request a patient’s medical record from NSW Ambulance’s Medical Records team. You do not need to submit a request under the GIPA Act for a medical record. You only need to submit a GIPA request if you are seeking other documents.

Request medical records from NSW Ambulance.

Incident Detail Reports

An Incident Detail Report is an agency record of operational details for a particular incident. It also shows what resources NSW Ambulance used for a medical emergency.

An Incident Detail Report is not a patient’s medical record.

Your need to make an application under the GIPA Act to get an Incident Detail Report.

Make a formal GIPA application.

Triple Zero (000) call recordings

Please note,

NSW Ambulance does not create transcripts of Triple Zero (000) call recordings.

To request a call recording you must:

• make a formal GIPA application
• complete the last page of the GIPA application. This has to be signed and dated by the caller. The caller is the person who called Triple Zero (000) and is speaking to the call operator
• get written approval from the patient(s) if their personal information was discussed in the call

Requests for statements from NSW Ambulance employees

NSW Ambulance employees do not need to give statements or respond to questions about incidents under the GIPA Act.

Read Fact Sheet - Your right to access government information in NSW from the Privacy Commission for more information.

How to pay for a GIPA application

All GIPA applications attract a payment. The application isn’t considered valid and will not be processed unless it is paid. You pay for the application through the NSW Health Payment Platform. Select NSW Ambulance as the ‘Health Organisation’ in the form.

You will get an automatic receipt after you pay.

If you cannot afford to pay, you need to provide evidence to support your claim.  For example, if you are a pensioner the fee is reduced.  Your valid pension card would be evidence to support your claim.

Please email your completed application to AMBULANCE-GIPA@health.nsw.gov.au