We now have the final word on the right of a patient to access his or her medical records. Medical records play an important role in helping the physician to remember details about the patient's medical history. The physician must have continued access to the records to provide proper diagnosis and treatment. Such access will be disrupted if the patient is able to remove the records from the premises. Accordingly, the patient is entitled to reasonable access to examine and copy the records, provided the patient pays a legitimate fee for the preparation and reproduction of the information.
Access is limited to the information the physician obtained in providing treatment.
It does not extend to information arising outside the doctor-patient relationship. P.O. Box 1200, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.