Healthcare decision maker grants administrative access to records

An applicant applied to access their historical records. The agency healthcare decision maker refused access to the documents and also decided access could not be granted through a nominated healthcare professional. The applicant sought external review and confirmed their preference to receive the records directly and not through a nominated healthcare professional. During the review OIC identified that the applicant was under the care of a healthcare professional and asked the healthcare decision maker to reconsider their position in light of this protective factor. Taking this information into account, the healthcare decision maker agreed the medical records could be disclosed directly to the applicant. The external review was resolved on this basis.