Likeminds Taranaki

Seeking Official Information

Everyone has the right to access information on file, held by a health provider.  This information needs to be readily available to the person receiving services.  Most providers are only too willing to ensure this access to information is available unless there is a specific reason for not doing so.

What is Official Information?

Official Information means any information held by Local and/or Central Government agencies.  Within the sphere of mental health services it applies to any health purchaser or health provider.

If you are in a hospital setting:

You have the right to view your own Mental Health file/s at a mutually agreed time; please ask your Primary Nurse.

If you are wanting to view a Mental Health file that is not yours, we will require written consent from the person that the information is about.

If you are being treated by Taranaki Health Mental Health Services as an Outpatient:

Please make your request to view your file in writing and send the letter to:

The staff member may be a Psychiatrist, your Key Worker or another staff member who is known to you. This staff member is available to explain the content of your file, answer any questions you may have regarding your file and also mark the documents that you may like photocopied.

If you are being treated by a non-hospital provider of Mental Health Services:

You should ask a person in authority within the organisation for the opportunity to look at your file.

Can a Request for Information be refused?

The Official Information Act 1982 has rules for requesting information.  

• Request access to any specified information
• Seek reasons for decisions made about you
• Request access to internal processes affecting decisions

 

Can you appeal?

• You are refused access to information sought
• The person handling the request fails to respond within 20 working days from the time the request for information was made
• You are not happy about the way the information has been made available

• Personal information is not corrected as you would like it to be

How to make a complaint

• The name of the organisation complained about
• Detail the nature of the complaint and how the outcome has affected you
• Enclose any relevant correspondence

If you have any difficulty in writing the complaint, do not hesitate to ask for help.

Support Services in Taranaki:

Your Primary Nurse or Key Worker

web: www.hdc.org.nz

Tel: 06 758 6049

Like Minds Taranaki gratefully acknowledges the financial support of this website by the Ministry of Health

 Feedback is always welcome
Like Minds Taranaki, 06-759-0966, email: mental.health@xtra.co.nz

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