Is the data be available under the Freedom of Information Act (FOI)?
The Health Records Act (Victoria) covers health information in Victorian public and private sectors from 1 July 2002. VICNISS will be collecting de-identified data that will only be available to each participating hospital as aggregated data. As no identifying patient details are kept by VICNISS the Coordinating Centre will be unable to disclose any patient details if requested to do so under FOI. The obligation of VICNISS to release data under FOI may depend on the individual request and may need clarification in law. Considerations may include the public interest if there is an advantage in data remaining confidential. VICNISS has sought further clarification regarding the impact of FOI on the VICNISS Coordinating Centre surveillance data. However, each hospital should make independent enquires to establish the likely impact the legislation may have for their facility in regard to the data they collect. For more information about this Act, contact the Health Services Commissioner.
