How to ask for your health records in Ontario

This page is a public educational walkthrough. It is not a retainer, a court form, or a promise about your result. For legal advice, you should contact an appropriate Lawyer or Paralegal specializing in the area of law you need assistance with.

1. Ask the custodian who holds the record

   Hospital, clinic or physician office. PHIPA is the usual Ontario statute on this site.

2. Put the request in writing with dates and your identity

   Name, date of birth, and the records you want (a discharge summary, a chart range).

3. They may charge a permitted fee and take time

   A delay is not always a refusal. A written refusal should say why.

4. This is not a malpractice claim

   Getting the record is often step one before anyone talks about a lawsuit.

5. If you need a correction, that is a separate written ask

   Keep both letters.

Official law on this site: health-law.

Disclaimer: Know The Law publishes legal information for the public, not legal advice. Court forms, fees and filing channels change. Read the official statute text and the official form page linked from this guide before you act. We do not represent you and we do not file documents for you. For legal advice, you should contact an appropriate Lawyer or Paralegal specializing in the area of law you need assistance with.