Medical records - Access to Information Office

The medical record is a confidential document kept in the medical records department. Medical archivists ensure the disclosure of health information in accordance with the laws and regulations in force in Quebec.

In accordance with article 17 of the Act respecting health and social services information, every person has the right to be informed of the existence of and to have access to any information concerning him or her that is held by a body. 

In order to obtain a copy of your medical records or that of your child, you must submit a written request, either by completing the authorization form online or by writing your request, taking care to include the information mentioned below.

The request can be sent by mail, fax or email to the following address: [email protected]

You can also complete the form in person at one of our Access to information offices during opening hours.

We can send you the requested information by email, however, please always indicate an alternative means of transmission, such as on-site pickup, postal mail, or fax, in case transmission by email is not possible.

Please include the following information in your request so that we can respond appropriately:

• patient’s first and last name
• date of birth
• patient’s hospital card number according to the site
• health insurance card number
• your complete contact information (name, address, telephone number)
• specify the information required and the period covered
• last name and first name of the recipient
• address of the recipient
• date and signature of the user or authorized person

• the person himself if he is 14 years of age or older
• the holder of parental authority if the person is younger than 14 years
• any person who can consent to the care of another person or the tutor or mandatary if it is a person incapable of giving valid consent
• the heir, the successor, the individual legatee, the liquidator of the estate, or a person designated as the beneficiary of life insurance
• people genetically related to a deceased person

To avoid further delays in processing your request, please ensure:

• You have signed your request by hand, with a stylus or via a Document Signing Software, such as DocuSign.
• You have correctly indicated the name of the hospital or hospitals from which you wish to receive information in the “Establishment” section of the form. 

In accordance with article 34 of the Act respecting health and social services information, the establishment must respond to a request promptly and not later than 30 days after the date the request is received.

Representative of an inapt person

In accordance with article 26 of the Act respecting health and social services information, the tutor or mandatary of an incapable person of full age has the right to be informed of the existence of and to have access to any information concerning that person.

For all access requests, please indicate the reasons why you wish to have access to the medical file of a deceased user in connection with your title.

Please attach a copy of the death certificate if the user died elsewhere than in our establishment.

The heir, the successor, the particular legatee, the liquidator of the estate, or a person designated as beneficiary of a life insurance or retirement plan.

In accordance with article 27 of the Act respecting health and social services information, an heir, a successor, a legatee by particular title or a liquidator of the succession of a deceased person, or a person designated by a deceased person as a beneficiary of life insurance or of a death benefit, has the right to be informed of the existence of and to have access to information concerning the deceased person that is held by a body, provided it is necessary for the exercise of their rights and obligations in that capacity. 

Spouse, ascendant or descendant

In accordance with article 29 of the Act respecting health and social services information, the spouse, a direct ascendant or a direct descendant of a deceased person has the right to be informed of the existence of and to have access to information relating to the cause of the person’s death that is held by a body, unless the deceased person refused access to the information. 

Holder of parental authority or tutor

In accordance with article 31 of the Act respecting health and social services information, where a minor under 14 years of age is deceased, the person having parental authority or the tutor has the right to be informed of the existence of and to have access to any information concerning the minor that is held by a body. However, that right does not extend to information of a psychosocial nature.

Genetic disease or hereditary disease

In accordance with article 30 of the Act respecting health and social services information, persons genetically related to a deceased person have the right to be informed of the existence of and to have access to information concerning the deceased person that is held by a body, provided it is necessary for verifying the existence of a genetic or hereditary disease. 

The right may be exercised even if the deceased person refused access to information concerning the cause of his or her death.

Grief

In accordance with article 28 of the Act respecting health and social services information, the spouse or close relative of a deceased person has the right to be informed of the existence of and to have access to information concerning the person where the information could help them in their grieving process, unless the deceased person refused access to that information.

Monday to Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (Lachine Hospital)

Please note that the MUHC Access to Health Information Offices are closed on:

• Statutory holidays (Official Canadian observant days) and, exceptionally below:
  • the first or second Monday in February
  • first Monday in August