Non-identifying medical information

Non-identifying medical information is information about a person's medical background. It does not include information about the person's identity or anything that would allow them to be identified.

How to request non-identifying medical information

An adopted person or adoptive parent/s (depending on the child’s age) can send a written request for non-identifying medical information to Adoption Services. For example, should an adopted child have a medical issue the adoptive parent may wish to seek additional information.

What happens after a written request is made

When we receive a request, we may contact the birth parent or other biological relative (if applicable) to ask them to provide up-to-date family medical information.

We have the authority to contact people involved, regardless of whether a contact statement prevents people from directly asking for, or providing, the information themselves.

When medical information is provided, it is forwarded to the adopted person or adoptive parents. At the request of the adopted person or their biological relative, we may give the information to a medical practitioner.

Request to provide non-identifying medical information

If an adopted person or birth parent/s writes to us providing medical information that has not been requested by the other person, Adoption Services will consider:

• any available information about the other person's views and wishes about contact
• the significance of the information which the adopted person or birth parent has provided to be passed on to their birth relative and whether it is in their best interests to receive the information
• any supporting evidence provided by the adopted person or birth parent, such as a medical report or letter from a doctor.

If the request is approved, Adoption Services will make all reasonable attempts to locate and contact the other person to see if they would like to receive the information.

Birth parent/s and adopted people are not obliged to provide, or accept, family medical information.