What Information must a Doctor to release to non-custodial parent?
Im in Australia if this helps. My 10 month old son lives with his mother. We have visting/contact orders via a centre for drop off and collection etc etc, but I want to know about his medical history as she will not tell me anything (just bein’ a cow un-necessarily). I particualrly want to know as he had a viral thing on the weekend and I want to know exactly what was wrong, along with some other things about him. I found out via a Medicare freedom of information release who administered his injections (the usual ones at set month-stages) as both parents have legal access to those.. In doing so, I obviously found out who his doctor is. If I call the medical practice, being his parent, what information are they required to give me by law should I ask for it? I was fairly certain it can all be accessed by either parent up until the age of 16 – but I dont want to call and sounds like a fool. SO if you can help me out, please reply…
Sorry, forgot to add that yes he is on my Medicare also! They gave me that information about his injections when I copied him onto mine. But medicare dont hold any patient details, so I need to talk to his doctor for exactly the reasons you mentioned.
Because you have Orders (and even if you have a copy of the birth certificate for your son showing you as the father) the doctor must give you any information you request. Provide them with copies of the Order and the birth certificate if they want. Unless the Orders specifically say you are not entitled to the information, as the child’s father it is your right. Same goes fro school information / religious information etc
If you have your son for weekend visitations I would have thought you would have him on your Medicare card. What if he got sick and you had to take him to the doctor your self. If you do ask the doctor who sees him for a medical journal or something to that effect he may even have allergies and god forbid have a reaction so in that case I would ask your ex to allow you to have him put on your card but you do have to have her give you permission and be present to sign the form at a Medicare office. I know this because our family have our grandchild on ours and believe me we have had to take them to the doctors regardless on more than 1 occasion.
References :
Make an appointment with the doctor. As you’re his father you have every right to know about his medical history. In fact, it is important to do so! He or she will happily discuss any health issues regarding your child. But of course, you’ll have to pay for the consultation. Shame she’s such a cow.
References :
I was a cow too once.
Because you have Orders (and even if you have a copy of the birth certificate for your son showing you as the father) the doctor must give you any information you request. Provide them with copies of the Order and the birth certificate if they want. Unless the Orders specifically say you are not entitled to the information, as the child’s father it is your right. Same goes fro school information / religious information etc
References :
Solicitor